Citizenship acquisition scheme: ‘no to lack of transparency’ says AD

The Green party, Alternattiva Demokratika, has called into question the lack of transparency in a new citizenship law that will sell passports for €650,000.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that the proposed law will contain a ban on the publication of the names of those persons purchasing a Maltese citizenship for €650,000," AD chairperson Prof. Arnold Cassola.

"This is absurd considering that when one gets married the banns have to be exposed to the public for six weeks prior to a marriage to ensure proper scrutiny, whilst to obtain Maltese citizenship anonymity is guaranteed. Is this meant to defend any possible shady character who might apply for citizenship, like government envoy Shiv Nair who is blacklisted internationally for fraud and corruption?"

Nair, believed to be a reclusive British millionaire based in Malta, is being employed as an investment envoy by Malta Enteprise, the government's investment promotion arm.

AD deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo said the party disagreed with the excessive powers vested in the home affairs minister through the proposed legislation.

"The minister, who through the proposed legislation is granted the exercise of substantial discretionary powers, should be completely out of the loop in the decision-taking process leading to the concession of Maltese citizenship. The final decision should be in the hands of a board which responds to parliament.

"Existing legislation relative to the granting of Maltese citizenship urgently needs to be revised as current procedures are absolutely opaque, in contrast to the high level of transparency required."