23.08.2022
The government will examine a report published Monday by the Accounts Office on Cyprus’ passports and investment program, which granted citizenship by investment, spokesman Marios Pelecanos said after a cabinet meeting convened on Monday at the president’s residence in the Troodos Mountains.
The Accounts Chamber previously published its long-awaited 150-page report showing shortcomings and shortcomings.
Pelecanos told the press that the government would make a statement, but first it needed to scrutinize the findings of the Court of Accounts in connection with the report of the commission of inquiry headed by former Supreme Court Justice Myron Nikolatos and the Law Office’s assessments.
The spokesman, who was asked to comment on one of the findings in the Accounts Chamber’s report that there had been impediments to the investigation over the past year, said no statements could be made at this time and that there would be comments when the government examined the findings.
AT In another question about whether Cyprus would investigate the spyware and the Greek scandal, the spokesman insisted that Cyprus had nothing to do with Predator or anything happening in Greece.
Pelecanos said the head of the Cyprus Intelligence Service (CIS) informs political leaders about activities strictly related to issues of national security, terrorism and organized crime. Asked if Cyprus received any surveillance software or equipment, the spokesman said that there is a legal framework for these matters, which was updated in 2020, and added that everything that falls under this framework, cannot be the subject of an investigation.
Report of the Accounts Chamber
The Court of Accounts report consists of 150 pages, the results of which are published on the results of an investigation of 3,517 cases of persons who acquired Cypriot citizenship under the now phased-out Cyprus investment program.
The report states that many have been granted citizenship without meeting the criteria set by the Cypriot Cabinet and Parliament, and that there is a €200 million VAT loss.
In addition, the investigation shows that due to non-payment of commissions, there is a loss of 25 million euros, contracts worth 1 billion euros have been canceled, and contracts worth 3.5 billion euros are still pending. The investigation shows that 3,810 people obtained Cypriot citizenship because the investors had relatives, but there is no such provision in the law.
In addition, the report states that 27 people associated with the activities of the casino received Cypriot citizenship, but did not fulfill the conditions.
