Russians approved by sanctions procure 'gold-plated' Maltese passports, Financial Times alleges
Beat the Sanctions: How Maltese Passports Help the Sanctioned Travel Freely
You've might heard whispers about it: at least seven individuals linked to Russia's aggression in Ukraine, hit with sanctions by the EU, the US, or Kyiv, have managed to obtain a Maltese passport—a prized ticket to travel the EU and Schengen Zone. The Financial Times broke the news on April 27, citing government data and leaked documents.
Despite facing criticism and legal action from the EU, Malta remains the only EU country clinging onto its "golden visa" scheme, unafraid to peddle citizenship. The controversial scheme has given passports to Russian businessman Albert Avdolyan, who was sanctioned by the EU in February, to circumvent travel bans, as reported by the FT. His family—wife and four kids—were tagging along, too.
Avdolyan, the FT reveals, has strong ties to Russia's state weapons corporation Rostec. To receive Maltese citizenship, he simply had to invest a hefty 600,000 euros ($680,000), and meet other requirements like renting or buying property, donating to charity, and, here's the catch, residing in the country for up to a year. The majority of that residency requirement was filled through hotel stays, arranged by Henley & Partners, the mastermind behind Malta's citizenship program design.
Inevitably, the EU Commission has voiced its disapproval, shouting: "EU values are not for sale!" Transparency International and other watchdogs are on high alert, emphasizing that a ruling in Malta's favor could prompt a dangerous "race to the bottom" among European countries, diluting citizenship standards.
Other canny individuals have cashed-in on the loophole. Sixteen people—among them, those facing charges and those convicted of crimes—have already obtained Maltese citizenship through the scheme. Names like Evgeniya Vladimirovna Bernova, accused of illegally exporting dual-use equipment to Russian government users, and Pavel Melnikov, a Russian millionaire imprisoned for tax fraud in Finland, have surfaced in the questionable dealings. Malta, realizing its mistake, has recently withdrawn at least one passport.
In a stunning twist, the US has also jumped on the bandwagon, announcing a "gold card" program in February that offers a million-dollar road to US residency and citizenship for the wealthy. Naturally, the question on everyone's mind: Will Russian oligarchs get a taste, too?
Willingly, the new US president, Donald Trump, confirmed their eligibility, stating, "Yeah, possibly. Hey, I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people," he told reporters. Although Trump conceded that some Russian oligarchs may not be as wealthy as before, he implied that they'd still be able to cough up the fee for the gold card.
- Albert Avdolyan, a Russian businessman sanctioned by the EU, obtained Maltese citizenship through the country's controversial "golden visa" scheme, allowing him to travel freely within the EU and Schengen Zone.
- This scheme, faced with criticism for peddling citizenship, has already granted Maltese passports to individuals such as Evgeniya Vladimirovna Bernova, accused of illegally exporting dual-use equipment, and Pavel Melnikov, a Russian millionaire imprisoned for tax fraud.
- The EU Commission and watchdogs like Transparency International are concerned that allowing such individuals to obtain EU citizenship could lead to a "race to the bottom," diluting citizenship standards across Europe.
