A €75 million money laundering case may leave Cyprus exposed, as French press reports point to those involved holding Cypriot passports.

When invited by independent MP Alexandra Attalidou to comment, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou merely said that “the answer is confidential”.

The people in question are Russians, who were granted Cypriot passports in 2016 by the cabinet.

According to the report of October 23 on the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists network, the two Russians appear to be involved in companies registered in Cyprus.

The French authorities have confiscated property worth €75 million, which was connected to money laundering, Attalidou said in her letter, according to Philenews.

When Attalidou became aware of the report, she sent a letter to Ioannou, saying the two Russians had obtained Cypriot citizenship and appear to have funded the purchase of property in the French Riviera through suspicious channels.

They also appear to be involved in companies established in the Republic of Cyprus, Attalidou said, quoting the report.

Attalidou called on the interior minister to inform the House on whether the contribution of the Cypriot authorities had been requested in investigating the cases against the two Russians.

She also asked if the Tax Department intended to proceed with a capital statement for the two suspects.

Attalidou asked when the applications for citizenship were submitted and for the number of the ministerial decision and called for the documents to be sent to the House.

Ioannou replied on December 9. His reply read: “The answer of the minister is confidential”.

According to Philenews, the justice ministry will become involved in investigations for possible criminal offences and the finance ministry for the tax issues arising, if there is indeed a case.