According to researchers, Svetlana Poliakova, whom FBK identifies as the minister’s longtime partner (he is officially married to Maria Lavrova), became a UAE citizen on December 28, 2022. The documents were issued to her “for services to the state.”
Earlier, S. Lavrov’s stepdaughter Polina Kovaliova also received a UAE passport. It is reported that citizenship was granted to her on the basis of employment.
As previously discovered by the portal “Važnyje istorii,” S. Poliakova maintains close ties with the minister and has significant influence in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She developed business related to this department, and her relatives held several important positions in the ministry. The value of real estate owned by S. Poliakova exceeds 700 million rubles (6.9 million euros).
P. Kovaliova studied in London, at the Imperial College Business School, and managed several UK companies. According to FBK, she owned luxury property in the United Kingdom valued at about 4.4 million pounds sterling. When the large-scale war began and sanctions were applied, she left the country and, according to the foundation, took a job at the “Qatar Investment” fund in Doha.
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Obtaining UAE citizenship is extremely difficult for foreigners. Standard naturalization requires 30 years of continuous residence in the country, knowledge of Arabic, and an impeccable reputation.
Since 2021, it has been possible to obtain citizenship for “special merits” – for investors, scientists, doctors, or artists. However, it is impossible to submit an application independently: the candidacy must be proposed by federal authorities or the emirate rulers’ courts.
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