KUALA LUMPUR – Cyprus’ Council of Ministers has stripped fugitive Low Taek Jho of his citizenship in the Mediterranean country.
The Cyprus News Agency, quoting sources, reported that the Interior Ministry had requested Interpol’s help in March to put together evidence before deciding on revoking his citizenship.
After that, the matter was brought up to the Council of Ministers, which officially revoked Low’s citizenship yesterday.
The English-language daily newspaper Cyprus Mail also reported that Low received Cypriot citizenship in 2015, but not without controversy.
Low was marked as high-risk, but his application was nevertheless submitted by local mediators.
In June 2015, he was said to have put €6 million (RM29.4 million) into an account at the Bank of Cyprus.
It was also reported that the Penangite bought a coastal mansion for €5 million before receiving his Cypriot citizenship days later.
Low reportedly donated €310,000 to the late ex-Archbishop Chrysostomos, who told authorities he was unaware that the Malaysian was being investigated for his role in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd financial scandal.
The republic’s citizenship-by-investment programme was investigated, and the committee of inquiry found that 53% of the 6,779 citizenships granted between 2007 and August 2020 were unlawful.
The Interpol red notice against Low was issued in October 2016.
He is also wanted in several countries, including Malaysia, for criminal allegations in the 1MDB scandal. – The Vibes, May 19, 2023
