Scandalous opacity in the case of the honorary naturalization of Yassam Ayyavefe

The Vice President of the Parliament and Member of Parliament of PASOK-Movement of Change Odysseas Konstantinopoulos submitted a question to the Parliament today regarding the lack of transparency in the naturalization case of Yassam Agiavefe, asking the competent Ministers for detailed explanations on this important issue.

Here is the question in detail:

Question

“To

1) Minister of the Interior Mr. M. Voridis

2) Minister of Immigration and Asylum Mr. N. Mitarakis

On June 16, 2022, a decision on the honorary naturalization of the Turkish citizen Yasaf Ayyavefe was published in the Government Gazette. According to the rationale of the naturalization decision, the person honored with the status of a Greek citizen, with a donation of his, saved the national health system from collapse at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Yassam Ayabefe was almost unknown in our country and for this reason there were positive comments from many sides without prejudice about his contribution to the health system in the midst of a crisis period, due to propaganda comments that had this goal.

However, according to reports published in the previous days, which shed light on the matter, he is particularly well-known in Turkey and also in occupied Cyprus, while he has been reported for various illegal activities. He is a citizen of several states, while the information states that he even acquired the citizenship of the pseudo-state of occupied Cyprus. The possession of multiple nationalities, if applicable, is an independent reason for revocation of the international protection status granted to him.

The institutional memory of the modern Greek democracy dictates that Greece honors, in exceptional cases, by granting Greek citizenship, people of general acceptance whose contribution is not valued in money. The case of Yassam Ayabefe is obviously problematic. It leaves widespread suspicion that this is some kind of cynical transaction as if the country had acquired a system of awarding golden passports to “investors” of dubious origin.

Because

· the honorary award of Greek citizenship is made in the name of the Greek people and is not a formal administrative government act

· honorary naturalization decisions are published with weak justification, without publicity and accountability

· the revelations about Mr. Yassam Ayyavefe create reasonable concern for democratic citizens

· the naturalization process is not completed with the publication of the relevant decision in the Government Gazette but with a swearing-in ceremony, which is unknown if it has been organized

Ministers are asked:

1. Has holding multiple nationalities been assessed by the asylum service when examining his asylum claim or has the applicant withheld relevant information? What does the relevant ministry intend to do to check the integrity of the asylum decision? Will it be revoked if problems are found?

2. Who/who had the initiative to start the process of the honorary naturalization of Mr. Ayyabefe?

3. Was the Ministry of the Interior aware of and evaluated the information that came to light in the last few days? Is not doing business in the occupied territories and holding the “citizenship” of the pseudo-state an obstacle to the honorary naturalization by the Greek State?

4. Has Mr. Ayyavefe’s swearing-in ceremony been planned or completed in order to delay the naturalization process?

5. Since it has not been completed, does the ministry intend to suspend the swearing-in until the dark parts of the case are clarified?

6. Since the swearing-in has taken place, what does the Ministry intend to do to check the legality – feasibility of the honorary naturalization?

7. Why are honorary naturalization decisions not posted in Diaugia like all other decisions on the acquisition of Greek citizenship by aliens?

8. What does the government intend to do to strengthen transparency and accountability in matters of honorary naturalization?

9. Will the investigation under the new data also extend to the economic activities that were a consequence of the granting of citizenship?

The questioning Member of Parliament

Odysseus Konstantinopoulos”