Maltese ‘golden’ passports were sold to Russians with Ukraine war links

'Russians with Ukraine war link sold Malta golden passports': Financial Times

The Financial Times claimed on Sunday that Russians hit with EU sanctions over the Ukraine invasion can partially circumvent the travel ban because of the controversial Maltese 'golden passport'.Among them, the FT refers to businessman Albert Avdolyan, who received his passport in 2015. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.According to a tally by the...

Some Russians, who are under EU and US sanctions due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, received Maltese passports under the “golden visa” scheme, which allows them to partially bypass the entry ban.

Maltese ‘golden’ passports were sold to Russians with Ukraine war links

Paid-for citizenship that could be banned by European court was handed to people who later faced sanctions

Malta sold 'golden passports' to Russians sanctioned over Ukraine war

Malta remains the only EU country still selling citizenship in exchange for investments. Several Russians under EU and US sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine have used the program.

The European Commission has already filed a lawsuit against Malta in the European Court of Justice, trying to stop the “citizenship for money” scheme.

Malta Sold Passports to Sanctioned Russians Through “Golden Visa” Program, Financial Times Reports

At least seven Russian businessmen and officials who are subject to sanctions by the European Union, the United States, or Ukraine over Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine have acquired Maltese passports through the country’s “golden visa” program, according to a Financial Times investigation on April 27. These individuals are part of a broader group of 16 people who successfully purchased Maltese citizenship, despite facing sanctions or pre…