A new scandal has erupted in Cyprus concerning the so-called “golden passport” program. One of the largest law firms in Limassol and nine of its lawyers are now under investigation. According to police reports, they may have been involved in the illegal acquisition of Cypriot citizenship for four investors—three Russian citizens and one Venezuelan citizen—as well as their family members.
The investigation is part of a case examining potential violations of citizenship laws, money laundering, and document forgery. Prosecutors state that the alleged crimes date back to 2015.
Court Battle and Supreme Court Ruling
The law firm attempted to overturn a search warrant issued on 8 October 2024, seeking to prevent police from using the collected evidence. However, the Supreme Court of Cyprus upheld the warrant, agreeing with the position of Attorney General Giorgos Savvidis. This ruling was pivotal—all materials seized and restored by investigators can now be used in preparing charges.
The first office search took place on 5 April 2024, when police seized four physical investor files and electronic correspondence stored on the firm’s main server. Experts later discovered that some data had been deleted or altered, raising suspicions of attempts to destroy evidence.
Digital Forensics and Recovered Data
Investigators obtained a second search warrant to recover lost information. The warrant allowed them to restore deleted or altered files without accessing confidential data of other clients. Using specialized software, cyber police experts recovered key digital evidence while respecting attorney-client privilege. All materials are now secured under judicial supervision and are being prepared for legal assessment to determine the likelihood of criminal charges.
Potential Charges and Consequences for Cyprus
The investigation considers six criminal charges, including:
- Fraud
- Conspiracy to commit serious crimes
- Money laundering
- Document forgery
- False statements
If the suspects are found guilty, they could face severe penalties, including prison terms and permanent disbarment.
The scandal again puts Cyprus’s international reputation at risk. After EU scrutiny and journalistic investigations in 2020 uncovered numerous abuses, the citizenship-by-investment program was officially closed. However, new findings suggest that some violations may have continued even after the program’s formal termination.
Current Status
As of autumn 2025, the investigation is in its final stage. Law enforcement continues analyzing digital evidence and interviewing firm employees. A decision on formal criminal charges is expected in the coming months. Cypriot authorities have pledged full transparency in the investigation, emphasizing that such schemes will no longer be tolerated in the country’s legal system.