The Cyprus Papers
Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit has obtained a leak of documents that name 2,500 people who paid to become Cypriot citizens.
With applicants from more than 70 nations, each required to make a 2-million-euro (approximately $2.5m) investment to qualify, Cyprus’s “golden passport” scheme reveals how citizenship of a small EU nation has become a commodity for the global super-rich.
Cyprus Investment Programme applicants by country
(2017-2019)
Some documents reveal details of sponsors and other passport holders who acquired Cypriot citizenship before 2017.
Analysis by the Investigative Unit found at least 60 people who bought passports would have been rejected as “high-risk” under rules introduced in 2019 & 2020.
The rules have tightened in recent years in response to critics who want the scheme shut down. The EU says it is a back door into Europe for criminals and dirty money.
The Cyprus Papers is a live gallery of profiles sourced from leaked confidential documents.
They include convicted criminals, oligarchs on the run from the law, and government officials. We have only published the names of individuals when there is clear evidence of wrongdoing or if the person was a PEP at the time they obtained citizenship. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the PEPs listed in the Cyprus Papers.
Each profile contains links to original documents, stamped and signed as their passports were approved.
Each profile card contains icons that give a visual indication of common attributes among the applicants. Hovering over icons brings up the following explanations.
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The applicant is named in an ongoing criminal investigation, or has been charged or prosecuted for a criminal offence. |
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The applicant is currently in prison or has served time in jail. |
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The applicant is on a sanctions list or holds a top position in a sanctioned entity. |
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Application approval coincides with investigations, legal action or sanctions against the individual. |
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A Politically Exposed Person (PEP) is an individual who has been entrusted with an official public function or is related to individuals who have served in state roles. They are considered a high risk of corruption and money laundering. Until July 2019, there were no bans on PEPs becoming Cypriot citizens. Then Cyprus introduced a rule, requiring PEPs to be out of office for at least five years. As of July 2020, the rules have been relaxed, requiring just one year out of office. |
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This applicant is estimated to have a net worth in excess of $1bn. |
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High Net Worth, meaning the applicant is estimated to have a fortune above $100m. |
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This applicant also successfully acquired passports for family members. |
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Application is one of several from the same company. |