After the cancellation of the so-called golden passport scheme in March 2022, only 17 foreigners were deprived of Bulgarian citizenship, of which four are Russian citizens.
As writes “European truth” with reference to Sofia Globesuch data was announced on Thursday by the Acting Minister of Justice of Bulgaria Krum Zarkov.
The minister announced that among those whose “golden passports” were canceled, four are citizens of Egypt, four of Russia, four of Kazakhstan, three of China, two of Pakistan and one of Jordan.
He added that an audit by the Ministry of Justice revealed cases where “golden passports” were issued without investment from a foreigner – which is a condition for his participation in the scheme. These situations are being investigated further, Zarkov assured.
“As for the family members of these persons, it is assessed in each specific case whether an application for citizenship was submitted on a non-existent legal basis. The problem with the “golden passports” has been resolved,” he stated.
March 2022 Bulgaria’s parliament abolishes “golden passport” schemewhich allowed wealthy foreigners to buy citizenship in an EU country if they invested just 1 million leva ($562,366).
Selling citizenship to non-EU citizens allows such investors to become EU citizens, gaining freedom of movement and access to the bloc’s financial systems.
Both the European Commission and the United States have previously said they would take action to stop such sales of “golden passports” to wealthy Russians as part of a string of sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
Read also: Inflation of “golden passports”: how EU countries are changing the conditions for buying their citizenship.
2023-05-04 21:40:31
#Bulgaria #canceled #golden #passports #belonged #Russians
