Dozens of Saudi nationals belonging to two of the country's wealthiest families became Maltese citizens - and thus citizens of the European Union - last year after paying millions of dollars to buy the country's passports, the Times of Malta reported.
Malta launched its controversial cash for passports scheme in 2013 when the Maltese citizenship could be bought for 650,000 euros ($743,000).
The Maltese passport allows freedom of movement within the EU, since the holder of the passport has automatic European citizenship.
Earlier this week, Malta's government gazette published the names of 62 Saudis belonging to the al-Muhaidib and al-Agil families, who were named by Forbes magazine as among the richest in the world.
The newspaper pointed out that the family members, most of them minors, became Maltese citizens in 2017, and might not have set foot on Maltese territory yet.