Cyprus is canceling the passports of four sanctioned Russians who obtained citizenship under an investment scheme that was canceled at the end of 2020. It is reported by Reuters, citing government sources.

The names of these individuals have not been released, but they are on a list of more than 800 people subject to European Union sanctions.

One source confirmed a report on the Politis website that the total number of passports to be revoked is 21, including dependents of sanctioned Russians.

Cyprus granted citizenship to 2,886 Russian citizens, including investors and their families, between 2007 and August 2020.

They are among the 6,779 people who received citizenship for an investment of 2 million euros.

The commission of inquiry found that the scheme had been operating in a legal vacuum for more than a decade without proper oversight.

According to the commission, more than half of the passports were issued illegally. In October, the authorities announced that they would cancel the passports of 45 people.