Antonis Antoniou, a former senior lawyer with the Giovani Group, was exonerated of all accusations linked to alleged unlawful naturalizations unveiled in an investigation. His exoneration came after the legal authorities opted to halt the charges due to a crucial prosecution witness, Anthony Kay, declining to give evidence.

Prosecutor Charis Karaolidou informed the court that a statement from Kay stated he “did not witness nor was aware of any wrongdoing by the defendants,” contradicting his earlier testimonies to the police.

The charges detailed in counts 4 and 5 were heavily reliant on the testimonies from Kay and journalist Sarah Yeo, who also chose not to testify. As a result, Karaolidou, representing the Prosecution Authority, revealed that the Attorney General decided to drop these charges.

At the same time, ex-House President Demetris Syllouris and former Akel MP Christakis Giovanis are still undergoing trial. They face serious allegations, such as conspiracy to undermine the Republic and attempting to sway a public official, breaching anti-corruption regulations.

Initially, the case implicated four individuals, including Antoniou, Giovani, and Syllouris, alongside lawyer Andreas Pittadjis, known for his notable comment “This is Cyprus” during a documentary report. After being acquitted in 2023, Pittadjis assumed the role of defense attorney for Antoniou.

The controversy emerged in October 2020 after the release of an investigative report, resulting in the resignations of Syllouris and Giovanis. The report showcased undercover journalists portraying representatives of an imaginary Chinese businessman with a criminal history, seeking Cypriot citizenship. Despite awareness of the businessman’s past, figures like Syllouris and Giovanis appeared eager to facilitate the citizenship application.

Following these revelations, the Cypriot government decisively ended the contentious citizenship-by-investment initiative, known as the Golden Passports scheme, in November 2020. Subsequently, the European Union initiated legal action against Cyprus, claiming the program was exploited to issue passports to unvetted individuals.

A critical report by a committee, led by former supreme court judge Myron Nikolatos, highlighted that more than half (53%) of the 6,779 golden passports were granted unlawfully, a lapse attributed to a lack of thorough checks. In response, the government has started revoking improperly obtained citizenships.

The acquittal of Antoniou signifies a key development in the ongoing legal saga, while Syllouris and Giovanis continue to face serious charges. The incident has garnered significant attention, highlighting rampant corruption and concerns over the tarnished Golden Passports scheme in Cyprus.