Cyprus investigates family of executed Chinese official over money laundering

Cypriot authorities are currently investigating three individuals, all naturalized citizens of Cyprus, for their suspected involvement in a massive money laundering network linked to the late Li Jianping, a former Chinese Communist Party official. Li, who obtained Cypriot citizenship in 2019, was executed in China on December 17, 2024, following a conviction for embezzling approximately 426 million euros (3.07 billion yuan) from state funds.

The suspects under investigation include Li’s son, Suchao Li, as well as family acquaintances Yuedong Cui and his mother, Meiji Cui. Authorities allege the trio utilized the now-defunct Cyprus Investment Programme to launder portions of the embezzled funds through real estate acquisitions in the country. In August 2026, the police, in cooperation with the Unit for Combating Money Laundering (MOKAS) and the Attorney General, successfully froze two properties associated with these individuals: a 14.5 million euro asset in Limassol and a 2.5 million euro property in the Tsada village of the Paphos district.

While the Cyprus Investment Programme is no longer active, its legacy continues to pose legal challenges for the government. The Cypriot Cabinet has moved to strip Suchao Li of his citizenship, a decision that is currently being contested in court. Police continue to probe the financial activities of all three suspects, though they remain elusive, leading authorities to publish legal orders publicly after being unable to serve them personally.