The investigation into the scandal of granting passports to dubious persons within the framework of the Citizenship for Investment program continues.
Recently, another court hearing was held in Nicosia. This time Antonis Antoniou was on the bench. It should be noted that the defendant faces five charges. The main of them relate to criminal conspiracy to undermine the authority of the Republic of Cyprus and influencing an official in violation of the Council of Europe Convention on Criminalization of Corruption. The proceedings are based on the findings of Myron Nicolatos, who investigated cases of illegal issuance of golden passports.
During the proceedings, a senior employee of Giovanis Group pleaded not guilty. In particular, he told the court that he was innocent of the charges against him based on Myron Nikolatos' report.
It should be mentioned that Antoniou is represented in court by attorney Andreas Pittagis, who was initially also on trial along with the other three defendants, but was acquitted. During the hearing, Antoniou told the court that he had submitted a request to the attorney general for a transcript of the testimonies of the witnesses of the Nicolatos investigation. He specified that he had included a letter from the interior minister to the auditor general stating that the state was not bound by the allegations in the report's findings. After much debate, it was decided to postpone the hearing to February 15.
It is expected to be conducted by the new public prosecutor, Charis Karaolidou. Meanwhile, the examination of witnesses is due to begin on June 10. According to preliminary data, a total of 32 people will testify.
Recall that the grandiose scandal broke on October 12, 2020, after the release of a report by the Qatari TV channel Al Jazeera.
In the video, high-ranking officials agreed to grant Cypriot citizenship to a Chinese investor, sentenced in absentia by the PRC authorities to seven years in prison for corruption, money laundering, and bribery.
Cyprus has appointed a Special Committee to investigate the high-profile scandal. In parallel, an independent investigation was undertaken by the country's auditor general, who for unknown reasons is constantly being resisted. A series of public hearings were held on the island.
Finally, on June 22, 2021, the final report of the Investigative Committee, which, under the leadership of Myron Nicolatos, investigated the illegal issuance of golden passports, was made public. The 780-page dossier had been significantly edited. The names and some personal details of investors were removed for security reasons.
A lengthy investigation shed light on a host of irregularities. Syllouris and Giovannis resigned. Under pressure from the international community, the Cypriot authorities were forced to close the program on November 1, 2020.