The European Commission has filed a lawsuit against Malta in the European Court, trying to stop the “Citizenship for Money” scheme.
Approximately seven Russian businessmen and officials under EU penalties, USA and Ukraine have received Malta passports according to the Golden Visa Scheme, which allows you to avoid the ban on entry. This has been reported by the Financial Times.
Those who have these passports are included in a large group of 16 people who successfully pay Maltese citizenship, despite the fact that they are celebrities, or eventually acquired lists of penalties, or convicted of crimes.
Russian businessman Albert Avdolyan, who is under the penalties of the EU due to the Russian War against Ukraine, since 2015 may partially prevent travel ban on the Maltese passport, which he obtained as part of the “Golden” Visa Program. This week, the European court should make a decision about the future of this procedure.
Malta is the last EU country that sells citizenship, which has caused the European Commission’s anger. He filed a lawsuit in the EU court, demanding the program stop. The European Commission emphasized that such schemes “disturb the essence and integrity of EU citizenship.”
“For some, it’s insurance, for others – the exit approach … These schemes are very problematic for many reasons,” said Eka Rostomashvili from Transparency International. – “It opens the EU doors, not just Malta.”
People who buy Maltese passports become EU citizens who have the right to live within the bloc. They can easily open bank accounts and EU businesses, as well as travel to many other countries without visas.
Among other owned Maltese passports:
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Evgenia Bernova, who is accused by the United States of illegal exports of dual equipment for Russian ending users through the company in Malta. He says he gets legal citizenship and has a real relationship with Malta.
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Pavel Melnikov, a Millionaire of Russia, was convicted of Finland for tax crimes. His citizenship in Maltese was canceled, but he argued this decision.
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Semon Kimbov, was convicted in the UK for laundering money.
Also, the Maltese passports received three members of the Saudi family. There are no indications against them.
The Malta program requires applicants of a -day investment of at least € 600 thousand, renting or buying housing, a charity fee of € 10 thousand and living in the country for at least one year (or three years for less investment).
Keep in mind that the European Union has developed a plan for changing post -war convention in refugees, which prohibits countries from rejecting asylum applicants on its boundaries, which may be one of the biggest changes in the policy of moving in recent decades.
Trump showed a “gold card” with his own face for $ 5 million
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.