Fugitive Jho Low lost Cypriot citizenship

Fugitive businessman on the run, Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low lost his appeal against the Cyprus government’s decision to revoke his citizenship and passport.

Cyprus Mail reported that an independent local committee rejected Low’s appeal on 17 May 2023 and this was presented in the cabinet meeting on 5 June.

the cabinet had then issued an order to strip Low of his Cypriot citizenship and passport.

This comes amid Low being on the run from authorities and accusations levelled against him regarding his role in the global financial scandal involving Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Last year, the Cyprus cabinet decided to revoke Low’s citizenship, which he received in 2015 through the island’s now-defunct citizenship-by-investment programme – also known as the golden passport scheme.

To secure his citizenship status, Low had reportedly purchased a seaside mansion in Ayia Napa for €5 million (approximately RM25.56 million).

He also donated around €310,000 to the late ex-Archbishop Chrysostomos, who allegedly “put in a good word” on the businessman’s behalf to the government.

While Low was under investigation when he was granted the foreign citizenship, he was only declared a wanted man in October 2016 once Interpol issued a red notice against him.

Post 2018 general election, the Malaysian government had reopened investigations against Low and issued an arrest warrant against Low who is believed to be the mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal.