Turkish Cypriot Obtained a Cypriot Passport Five Times Using Different Photos

Authorities in the Republic of Cyprus are discussing the need to tighten internal controls within the Civil Registry and Migration Department. A recent report from the Audit Office, covering the period from 2020 to 2023, has uncovered multiple irregularities. Among them is a case where a Turkish Cypriot managed to obtain a Cypriot passport five times, each time using a different photograph.

Speaking on Alpha Καλημέρα, Marios Petridis, the spokesperson for the Audit Office, highlighted serious flaws in the department’s operations. He specifically pointed out excessive delays in processing citizenship applications.

"For example, obtaining Cypriot citizenship is a lengthy process—38 months due to residency requirements and 26 months for those married to Cypriot citizens," he explained.

Petridis also revealed another shocking case in which a foreign national was granted a Cypriot passport five times, each time using a different person’s photo.

After discovering this violation, the Audit Office alerted the relevant department, and the case is now under official investigation. It was also revealed that the same individual had attempted to apply for an identity card for a sixth time.

"We uncovered all this information through the department’s automated system," Petridis noted, stressing the urgent need to strengthen internal control measures to prevent such incidents.

According to Alphanews, at the time this violation was discovered, the Civil Registry and Migration Department was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior.

Meanwhile, the newspaper Politis reported that, according to the Audit Office, 11,891 applications for Cypriot citizenship based on residency or marriage were pending between 2007 and November 7, 2023. In stark contrast, individuals applying for “golden passports” through investment programs were granted citizenship almost immediately after payment.