UK to review visas for 700 rich Russians

Slovakia recalls Russian envoy for consultations over UK poisoning, could take stronger steps

Slovakia recalls Russian envoy over poisoning case, could take stronger steps

Hundreds of wealthy Russians who moved to the UK promising to invest millions of pounds in businesses will have their visas reviewed under plans for a crackdown following the nerve agent attack on a former spy.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said her officials will be trawling through the cases of 700 Russians who were given permission to come to the UK before 2015 under the investor visa scheme, in which they promise to invest 2 million pounds ($2.8 million, Dh10 million) or more.

The system has been tightened since it was introduced, but concerns have been raised that it was open to abuse and allowed corrupt individuals and illicit funds into the UK. Prime Minister Theresa May has previously identified the issue as something that would be looked at.

May blamed Russia for the attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, this month in Salisbury, England. She threw out 23 Russian spies she said were posing as diplomats, and won international support for similar expulsions from 25 countries including the US, Canada, and Germany.

“I have asked my officials to look at what reforms we might continue with and to take a look at previous ones over the past few years,” Rudd told Parliament’s home affairs committee yesterday.

May has said there’s “no place” for corrupt Russian elites — or their money — in London, and suggested that police could target rich Russians and demand they account for their wealth.

I have asked my officials to look at what reforms we might continue with and to take a look at previous ones over the past few years.” Amber Rudd | Home Secretary

Slovakia mulls steps

Slovakia will recall its ambassador to Russia for consultations over the poisoning, and may take stronger steps, Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak said yesterday.

The central European country has not joined 19 EU countries, the US and Australia in expelling Russian diplomats but Lajcak did not rule out doing so later.

“The government has backed my recommendation to recall our ambassador to Russia for consultations. It’s a serious diplomatic step, we haven’t recalled an ambassador in 25 years,” Miroslav Lajcak told reporters after a regular government meeting.

“The process continues, I will meet with the head of Slovakia’s secret service today and, depending on the information, we are ready to take further steps.”

Slovakia’s President Andrej Kiska on Tuesday criticised the government for not taking tougher diplomatic steps, calling for “a principled and clear attitude in response to a request for solidarity coming from one of our important partners.”