Some Cypriots are pretending to sell their passports online, others are enraged over the tarnishing of the country’s reputation following the Al Jazeera broadcast focusing on the citizenship by investment programme, which led to the scrapping of the current scheme on Tuesday.
“Passport for sale, barely used” one local posted on Facebook. “If you have a problem with the name, change it – quick and easy” they added using the hashtag #ThisisCyprus. This was a reference to a comment made by one of those targeted by Al Jazeera in its undercover reporter.
The hour-long documentary shows House president Demetris Syllouris and Akel MP Christakis Giovanis, who resigned on Tuesday, appearing to be willing to help a Chinese millionaire, previously convicted for money laundering, to get a ‘golden passport’.
“Syllouris and Giovanis are selling passports for a few millions…I thought I would also sell mine. I don’t want millions. Just a few thousands will do” a woman wrote on Facebook.
A Cypriot artist, Lefki Savvidou aka Le Boob, uploaded her newest creation on social media; a photo of the burgundy Cypriot passport and wrote “Buy one get one free” with a black marker on it.
A commentator asked her if it comes in different colours to which she replied “Of course. This is Cyprus.”
The comment referred to the same reply lawyer Andreas Pittadjis gave to the undercover journalist who pretended to be an agent for the Chinese investor. Pittadjis suggested that they could simply change his name to allow the millionaire access to a Cypriot passport – after a generous real estate investment.
The current scheme was scrapped on Tuesday, a day after the video went online. Giovanis submitted his resignation and Syllouris announced he was abstaining from his duties from next Monday pending an investigation.
Another social media user posted a photo of an anti-littering sign reading “Please do not put trash… in high government positions.” A local singer who shared the Al Jazeera video said in the description “P.S. Where’s superstar Archbishop?”
Despite the mockery, many citizens were angered by the stance of the two politicians in the video.
“So, ‘This is Cyprus’? For us, this is not Cyprus. There is the Cyprus of all of those who did not accept to get their hands dirty with dirty money. All of us who work honestly, pay our taxes and love our homeland,” somebody wrote on Twitter.
“How can he still remain in this position??? Reduced brain cell power should also be added to the charges” a Facebook user posted about Syllouris.
“He brought our island into disrepute & shame. This disgraceful behaviour is in no way indicative or representative of the esteemed & dignified acts of Cyprus citizens who work ceaselessly, ethically and unconditionally, to promote Cyprus with pride to the international community” the commentator added.
A young man spoke about the ‘trap’ of social media that create ‘balloon reactions’ as he called them, brief cycles of rage that end suddenly.
“Within a few hours after the result of the first round [of the Turkish Cypriot elections] and the riot in Dherynia my Facebook newsfeed filled with wishes for Akinci and aphorisms for the “ELAMites” in Dherynia. Following the release of Al Jazeera’s documentary…rage, anger and disgust…”
He added that social media ‘likes’ would not affect “the opposing position” since they are the ones ‘ruling’ social media spaces, and have the mainstream media on their side.
