ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) has described as “malicious” and “fanciful” a media report that it had been instructed by Prime Minister Gaston Browne “to proceed with haste, regardless of the state of the due diligence process” applications by Russians nationals for Citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda is among several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that provide Citizenship to foreign nationals in return for significantly contributing to the island’s socio-economic development through the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI).
Europe and the United States have imposed sanctions on Russia and Belarus following Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine last year.’
Caribbean countries have already announced that they are restricting the access of any Russian or Belarusian national to use the CBI to avoid sanctions and mask their affiliation with the Russian regime.
In its statement, the CIU said it wanted to reject “completely the untruthful report in the online portal, Real News Antigua, which claims that the Unit has been instructed by Prime Minister Gaston Browne “to proceed with haste, regardless of the state of the due diligence process” to approve Russian applications for Citizenship.”
It said that the online publication had attributed its “malicious story” to sources “in Washington” and “in the diaspora” and that “no name or agency is identified or quoted…because, in reality, they do not exist.
“The CIU dismisses the fanciful allegation that it has been instructed by the Prime Minister or any other policy official to discard due diligence processes, which it staunchly applies to all applicants.”
CIU said it “maintains strict and unwavering procedures by its in-house team of compliance specialists, in conjunction with international due diligence providers, and global law enforcement agencies,” adding “these procedures are mandatory, and no exceptions are made.
“The Citizenship by Investment Unit is unwavering in its protection of the jurisdictional reputation of Antigua and Barbuda, as well as the integrity of the nation’s passport,” the statement said, adding that it deplores “this deliberate attempt …to sully the good name of the CIU and its staff”.
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