The cabinet on Wednesday upheld a decision to revoke the citizenship of Malaysian businessman Jho Low.
Low, who is wanted by Interpol for serious financial crimes, was initially stripped of his Cypriot citizenship in May 2023.
He exercised his right to appeal the decision, but his objection was rejected on May 17, 2024, by an independent commission on citizenship.
Cypriot law allows for the revocation of citizenship within ten years of naturalisation for individuals internationally wanted for serious crimes.
Jho Low received Cypriot citizenship in September 2015, through the country’s citizenship by investment programme.
The Council of Ministers formally approved the Interior Minister’s proposal to issue a decree finalising the citizenship revocation.
This decision comes amidst ongoing investigations into Low’s alleged involvement in the 1MDB scandal.
Low is wanted internationally and by his home country for allegedly embezzling billions from Malaysia’s 1MDB investment fund and syphoning them to his accounts.
He reportedly acquired Cypriot citizenship through a €5 million villa purchase in Ayia Napa. Upon uncovering his past, Cypriot authorities seized the villa for potential confiscation if his citizenship was obtained through deception.
The investigation delved into the involvement of the late Archbishop Chrysostomos, who received a €300,000 check from Low’s application. The Archbishop returned the check when the scandal broke, and a police investigation found no evidence of corruption.
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