Ex-Spy Chiefs, Convicted Fraudsters: Thousands Obtained Dominican Citizenship Through Controversial ‘Golden Passports’ Scheme

The Caribbean island nation of Dominica has become notorious for selling citizenship to over 7,700 individuals since 2007, including some questionable figures. In this investigation, we uncover the names of thousands of new Dominican citizens, raised concerns about transparency and governance, and the consequences for natural-born Dominicans.

Dominica’s Golden Passports Scheme: A Multi-Million Dollar Business

Dominica’s ‘golden passports’ scheme is one of the biggest in the world, generating over $1bn through its citizenship by investment program since 2009. This allure has led thousands of applicants to acquire Dominican nationality without setting foot on the island.

Visa-free Travel and Transparency Issues

The main attraction of Dominica’s passports granting visa-free travel to 140 countries, including most EU member states, has brought hefty revenues to the country. However, the identities of those acquiring citizenship for at least $100,000 were difficult to obtain until now.

Names Uncovered: Individuals with Questionable Backgrounds

Through the assistance of the Government Accountability Project, a US-based advocacy group, and by reviewing leaked material, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) uncovered the names of thousands of new citizens.

Among the notable individuals are the following:

1. Asadullah Khalid, a former Afghan spymaster and governor, accused of human rights abuses
2. Sasi Milud Sasi Grada, a former Libyan colonel under Muammar Gaddafi
3. Cavit Çağlar, a Turkish businessman and former government minister with a fraud conviction
4. Mehdi Ebrahimi Eshratabadi, an Iranian wanted for alleged fraud
5. Oday Nadir Abdulkareem al-Quraishi, an Iraqi engineer, and suspect in bribery allegations

The Dependence on Golden Passports and Concerns

Dominica has heavily relied on selling citizenship to fund public services, with this source of income accounting for about half of all government revenues. However, concerns about the transparency and governance of the scheme have caused consequences, such as the UK’s decision to stop visa-free travel from Dominica and four other countries.

The Government’s Defense and Allegations

Dominica’s government did not respond to detailed requests for comment, but prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit defended the program during press conferences in September and October, stating that the government follows a robust due diligence process.

The Road to Golden Passports and Their Economic Impact

The sale of golden passports began to take off in 1993, and since 2015, a treaty signed with the EU has granted its citizens visa-free travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days a year.

Concerns and Critics

Anti-corruption campaigners and politicians have long expressed concerns about golden passport regimes, and the UK and Cyprus have both scrapped their schemes. While Dominica argues that the money is needed to replace once dominant banana exports and fund public services, these concerns have led many to question the long-term consequences of the country’s reliance on such schemes.