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DER
SPIEGEL: “RUSSIAN MAFIA LAUNDERING MONEY IN SOUTH CYPRUS” (17.12.02)
In
the German ‘Der Spiegel’ weekly magazine it was stated that South Cyprus
had connections with the Russian mafia and that money is being laundered from
the many Russian off-shore banks registered in South Cyprus.
The
magazine reported that the Russian mafia is actively operating in South Cyprus
and citizenship is being given to thousands of Russians. It added that the
Greek Cypriot administration has a dangerously close relationship with the
Russians and under the disguise of off-shore banks a blind eye is being turned
to illegal money laundering activities.
The magazine stated
that approximately 30,000 Russians reside in South Cyprus and that each year
140,000 Russian tourists visit the South. It also added that there are 21,000
Russian companies registered in South Cyprus.
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