Information on the origin of those buying Maltese passports and becoming citizens of Malta is not being released as it could “prejudice relations with some countries of origin”, the Times of Malta was told.
Rejecting yet another request by this newspaper for details under the Freedom of Information Act, Identity Malta gave “relations with the countries of origin” as the reason for such refusal.
The Times of Malta asked Identity Malta for information on the number of IIP applicants categorised by their original nationality and number of dependents, as well as a breakdown of which agencies are representing passport buyers.
According to Identity Malta, giving information on the nationality of applicants and their dependents “may prejudice relations with some countries of origin”.
The public interest that is served by non-disclosure outweighs the public interest in disclosure
With regard to the agencies making the applications on behalf of foreign clients wanting to become Maltese citizens, the government agency insists this was commercial information that should not be released.
“The information requested could reasonably be expected to have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the operations of the public authority, and the public interest that is served by non-disclosure outweighs the public interest in disclosure,” Identity Malta argued.
The Times of Malta filed a complaint to reverse this decision, arguing that citizens should at least have basic information on those buying Maltese citizenship.
The IIP programme, one of the first initiatives taken by the Labour administration soon after its return to power, has been shrouded in secrecy from day one.
Despite calls for full transparency and disclosure of those paying to become Maltese citizens, the government persists in publishing the names of the new Maltese passport holders together with those who become Maltese through conventional ‘naturalisation’ channels.
According to Henley & Partners, the company that designed the cash-for-citizenship programme for the government, the majority of those wanting a Maltese passport are millionaires hailing from the former Soviet republics.
Information released by Identity Malta indicates that only a few of those acquiring Maltese citizenship are truly interested in residing on the island.
This newspaper reported that Mossack Fonseca, the Panama firm embroiled in the Panama Papers, described Malta’s IIP scheme as offering the most ‘lax’ rules when it comes to obtaining a residency permit.
A number of millionaires applying for Maltese citizenship appear to be living in modest flats in areas such as Birżebbuġa, Mellieħa, Mġarr and St Paul’s Bay. According to his IIP application, Chinese billionaire Liu Zhongtian, described as China’s eighth richest person, resides in a modest first floor flat in Naxxar.
Birżebbuġa hosts a Kazakh applicant and two Russians, all squeezed into what looks like a small flat in the village core, while an Azeri and a Russian applicant chose to make a flat in Mġarr their home.
ivan.camilleri@timesofmalta.com