Malta Granted Citizenship to Russians Linked to Ukraine Conflict
Malta Faces Scrutiny for Granting Citizenship to Sanctioned Russians Through Golden Passport Program
At least seven individuals sanctioned by the European Union or the United States for links to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have reportedly received Maltese citizenship through the country’s controversial Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), according to a recent Financial Times investigation.
Notable Sanctioned Individuals with Maltese Citizenship
Among the individuals named in the report:
- Albert Avdolyan: Sanctioned by the EU in February, Avdolyan acquired Maltese citizenship in 2015, along with his wife and four children, through the investment scheme.
- Evgeniya Vladimirovna Bernova: Accused by the U.S. of facilitating the shipment of dual-use equipment to Russia via a Malta-based company. Bernova confirmed she obtained her citizenship legally through Malta’s Golden Passport program.
- Semen Kuksov: Currently imprisoned in the United Kingdom for money laundering.
- Pavel Melnikov: Convicted of tax fraud in Finland. Melnikov is actively contesting attempts to revoke his Maltese citizenship, maintaining he complied with local laws and committed no wrongdoing.
Legal and Political Controversy Around Malta’s Golden Passport Scheme
Malta’s Golden Passport program has long attracted criticism for allegedly enabling money laundering, corruption, and the circumvention of international sanctions. The European Commission previously stated that the scheme violates EU treaties, specifically Article 30 and Article 4(3) of the Treaty on European Union.
Despite this, EU Advocate General Michael Collins has argued that EU member states retain the sovereign right to grant citizenship, including through investment, provided stringent due diligence procedures are enforced.
Ongoing Debate Over EU Citizenship Integrity
Although countries such as Cyprus and Bulgaria have discontinued their citizenship-by-investment schemes amid growing controversy, Malta has continued to operate its program. In 2023, EU Commissioner for Justice and Consumers Didier Reynders declared that “European values are not for sale,” calling for the termination of such schemes across the bloc due to their security risks and potential for abuse.
Malta now faces renewed scrutiny, particularly in light of these revelations, as critics argue that EU citizenship must not be a loophole for sanctioned individuals to bypass international restrictions.
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