Yet another case involving naturalization of a foreign investor is before the Legal Service, with the Attorney General, George Savvidis, telling CNA that this case will also be studied by the Legal Service "with due attention".
"Any case that comes before us is studied with due diligence and our decision is forwarded to the competent authorities," the Attorney General told the Cyprus News Agency when asked about an article in the daily press referring to a Vietnamese investor who, while in detention in his country, was receiving citizenship in Cyprus.[/B]
In the meantime, the Ministry of Interior has issued a statement in response to the publication, clarifying that the person in question has not been naturalised as a Cypriot citizen.
In addition, it notes that on 8 October 2021, the Council of Ministers decided to revoke the naturalisation of his wife and children, which was granted to them on 15 May 2019.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the case of revocation of the family's naturalisation is before the Independent Commission for Deprivation of Nationality.
Four cases before the Legal Service
In a statement to CNA, Police spokesman Christos Andreou said that the cases concerning naturalizations that are currently before the Legal Service are four, noting that the Police are awaiting instructions.
It is noted that among the four cases under consideration is the case related to the revelations of the Al Jazeera network, with the Police spokesman telling CNA that for this particular case the testimony needed has been secured and the study of the file by the Legal Service is expected.
"The testimony needed has been secured. Specific recommendations were sent by the investigators and the study of the file by the Legal Service is awaited, so that appropriate instructions can be given," he said.
In relation to the case of the Vietnamese investor, Mr. Andreou was content to say that "one more case has been forwarded to the Legal Service."
Two more at the final stage
Asked about the status of the remaining cases, which, it is recalled, number more than 100, Mr. Andreou said that there are currently two more cases, which are in the final stage, adding that there are some others, which are at an advanced stage.
According to Christo Andreou, "these are cases that are very difficult to investigate and complex," to note that "it takes time and many times testimonies need to be taken from abroad."
He also said that there are regular subscriptions to take testimonies from foreign countries for all cases related to these offences.
Ten additional investigators to handle the cases
Besides, he noted that for the specific cases, which are being investigated by the Police Headquarters CID, a team of ten additional investigators has been strengthened to speed up the process.
"These are complex cases and each one has its own objective difficulty," he added.
In addition, Andreou said that the police are making every effort to complete the investigation of these cases in order to send them to the Legal Service for further handling, adding that if any offences are identified from the study to be brought to justice.
Asked if there are any of the cases, which will be filed with the Court soon, he said that the Police is awaiting instructions from the Legal Service.
It is noted that the first criminal case concerning the exceptional naturalization of foreign investors and businessmen is pending before the Court in Larnaca, based on the conclusion of the report prepared by the Ad Hoc Tripartite Kalogeros Commission. The case was filed with the Court in May 2021.
Source: CNA
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