Former Transport Minister in the Anastasiades government, Marios Demetriades, has been charged in connection with the golden passports scandal, facing accusations of corruption, bribery, and money laundering.
A case was filed against Demetriades at the Nicosia District Court on Friday, linked to Cyprus’ investment programme. According to Philenews, Demetriades is also accused of interfering in the naturalisation approval process.
The indictment includes more than 50 charges against eight individuals and two legal entities, among them Demetriades’ father and two siblings who have interests in the family’s law firm, which facilitated the naturalisations. Other defendants include a lawyer from the firm, a foreign investor, an embassy staff member in China, and her spouse.
Over the next few days, the indictment will be served to those involved, with the procedure to move the case to the Nicosia Criminal Court scheduled for next month. In September 2023, criminal prosecutions were proposed as police suspected offences related to the naturalisation of 19 investors, as reported by Philenews.
Investigators found evidence suggesting that a man married to an embassy employee played a key role in attracting clients who paid for ‘golden passports,’ with part of the funds allegedly reaching a third party. A police officer’s affidavit mentioned the role of the law firm and highlighted the political connections used to attract clients.
An arrest warrant is also pending for a Chinese man holding a Cypriot passport, who unsuccessfully attempted to annul the court order in September 2023.
Investigations started in July 2021 after a tripartite committee, appointed by the cabinet in November 2019, submitted a report on investor naturalisations. The case began unraveling during probes into the naturalisation of three Cambodian nationals—a couple and their adult son—handled by the implicated law firm.
In a written statement, Demetriades claimed his targeting was premeditated, with the intention of using him as a scapegoat. He stated, “False allegations and malicious accusations were made to distort the truth and bring me to court.” Demetriades added that his personal, family, and professional life, as well as his political decisions, had been scrutinized over three years with no faults found, expressing confidence that “truth and justice always prevail.”
By FCCT Editorial Team
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