In the course of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Cyprus and Malta have so far stripped dozens of people of their citizenships, which they obtained through “golden passports”. This refers to the controversial practice of selling citizenships to non-EU citizens, mostly in exchange for investments.
Cyprus has revoked the Cypriot citizenship of 43 people, the EU Commission replied to a question from the FDP MEP Moritz Körner. In addition, two Russians have reportedly lost their Maltese citizenship. One of them is therefore subject to EU sanctions, the other has been sanctioned by the USA.
The EU Commission had repeatedly called for an end to the “golden passports”. After the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Brussels authority recommended that EU states consider revoking such purchased citizenships if they were granted to sanctioned Russians or Belarusians. However, Cyprus had already conceded “golden passports” before the start of the war.
