Cypriot authorities are revoking the citizenship of 68 investors and 165 dependents next week due to criminal offenses pending against them. This follows a cabinet decision last Wednesday, based on an investigation by the Ministry of the Interior into the criminal activities of these investors who had secured passports through the now-defunct Cyprus Investment Programme.
Among those affected are individuals from China, Russia, and India
This phase of the ‘de-citizenship’ action involves a total of 18 investors and their dependents. Among those affected are individuals from China, Russia, and India. Specifically, three Chinese citizens, two Russians, and an Indian man are included in this round of citizenship revocations. Beyond these cases, the government has already completed the process of stripping passports from 14 people and 30 dependents, effectively canceling any relevant travel documents.
The foreign nationals who will be stripped of their Cyprus citizenship include:
- Russian Pavel Vedkhoff, his wife, and two children
- Chinese Li Jianxin
- Indian Virkaran Avasti, his wife, and two children
- Chinese John Ninglin, his wife, and two children
- Chinese Zu Jiongbiao, his wife, and child
- Russian Igor Iganof, his wife, and two children
The decision regarding Vedkhoff was reached following coordination with Interpol, which informed Cypriot authorities that he was being sought by Russia for multiple criminal offenses, including fraud, carrying more than 10 years of imprisonment. According to local legislation, individuals sought for criminal offenses carrying more than five years or any other ethical nature crimes committed either in Europe or in third countries must be stripped of Cypriot citizenship.
For Jianxin, the decision to revoke his passport followed an Interpol briefing that he is being sought for a bribery case in China, carrying a life sentence. In Cyprus, a bribery charge carries seven years and still falls under the terms for stripping away citizenship from any foreign national being sought by Interpol.
Indian Virkaran Avasti is internationally sought for defrauding banks and companies, including filing false reports—offenses that involve a 10-year sentence in India.
Another case is Russian Igor Iganof, who is being sought by Interpol for setting up a criminal organization and large-scale fraud, offenses carrying more than 20 years imprisonment in Russia.
All 68 investors being stripped of their Cypriot citizenship will be informed in writing about the reasoning behind the decision. These individuals have the right to appeal to the relevant Independent Authority on Citizenship Debarment.
