Critics demand to know how allies of Cambodia’s Hun Sen got Cyprus citizenship
- Eight family members or allies of Cambodian leader Hun Sen sought and received Cypriot citizenship in 2016 and 2017
- While Cyprus authorities say their processes are transparent, who gets citizenship is protected by data laws
A report revealed that family members and allies of Cambodia’s long-time prime minister, Hun Sen, have overseas assets worth tens of millions of dollars and have used their wealth to buy foreign citizenship – a practice Hun Sen has decried as unpatriotic.
Cyprus declined to comment on individual cases.
Irene Charalambides, an opposition lawmaker who is also a special representative on fighting corruption for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, issued a scathing statement on social media saying the disclosure made Cyprus the object of international ridicule.
This is an international ridicule, which is not covered by any justification. The Minister of Interior is required to answer
“Where does the issuance of passports stop? Until when will we stop apologising internationally? Finally, there is a fire with the smoke,” Charalambides wrote on Facebook.
“This is an international ridicule, which is not covered by any justification. The Minister of Interior is required to answer,” she said.