Cyprus is moving to deprive the citizenship of four Russians and 17 members of their families, who are among those who have fallen under European Union sanctions.

Cypriot government spokesman Marios Pelecanos confirmed to the Associated Press that procedures are underway to deprive 21 people of their citizenship.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades earlier said the government had authorized the Interior Ministry to begin revocation procedures against four Russians, whose names were not being released.

All four received Cypriot passports under the once-lucrative citizenship-by-investment program, which was canceled in 2020.