A new research has been published, which states that the Russia in 2016 she successfully infiltrated her political life Cyprus and through illegal financing, he not only created a Russian party, but Moscow was able to draft a law in his favor and pass it through the Cypriot Parliament.
The organization OCCRP (Global Network of Investigative Journalists Against Corruption and Organized Crime) states in occrp.orgthat a central figure in the story was the Russian Dmitry Kozlov, who, like his father, obtained Cypriot citizenship through the “golden passport” program.
More specifically, the 2016 The Agasharian sent to Mirzakhanian –Russian lobbyists, classmates of Kozlov based on him– document entitled “Resolution of the House of Representatives of Cyprus”, regarding the lifting of economic sanctions against Russia that had been imposed for Crimea.
The resolution and the creation of a party
According to the calculations of the Russians the resolution would be supported by the right-wing DISY and the left-wing AKEL. Dmitry Kozlov admitted to OCCRP that approached Cypriot MPs to spy on them. He stated that he contacted the then General Secretary of AKEL, Andros Kyprianou, but as he said “did not apply pressure”, as Mr. Kyprianou also seemed to be interested in the idea of ​​a pro-Russian resolution.
At June 29, 2016Agasharian sent Mirzakhanian an email containing a draft of the resolution signed by the AKEL parliamentary group. On July 7, the resolution was approved by the Parliament of Cyprus and it was almost identical to what the Russians had prepared.
Also, shortly after the adoption of the resolution, Kozlov donated the amount of 15,000 euros to AKELwith him arguing that it was for “charitable purposes” and tthe party saying it was done as a “possible token of gratitude for the resolution”.
Then, the 2017 in Cyprus a new party called “I the Citizen” was createdwhich became known as the “Russian party” as it included Russians who had acquired Cypriot citizenship, but also Cypriots who had relations with Moscow.
Party disbanded in 2021, Nevertheless still keeps his website activewhile openly supported Nikos Christodoulidisas a candidate for president of the Republic of Cyprus.
Source: News Beast
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