TALLINN, June 4 (RAPSI) - The Estonian authorities have launched a procedure to revoke the residence permit earlier issued to Alexander Kharkovsky, an alleged Russian criminal boss known as "Grebets" and member of a Vladivostok criminal group in the 1990s, Estonian television reports on Tuesday.

In 2011, it was revealed that the Estonian authorities had been granting residence rights to wealthy individuals, mainly Russians, who allegedly sat on the boards of local firms, for monetary compensation. The news caused public outrage. It appeared that two members of the ruling party, the Pro Patria Res Publica Union, issued the documents. Most of the local firms which claimed to employ these individuals only existed on paper. Kharkovsky received a residence permit a few years ago after investing EUR 65,000 in Clear Investments.

The Police and Border Guard Board suspects that residence permits were issued illegally to 180 people in 2012, Interior Minister Ken-Marti Vaher said in parliament on Monday.
Under Estonian laws, residence permits can be granted to individuals serving as local company executives or to those who start up a business. In the former case, it is essential that the company is officially registered in Estonia. The latter option is more expensive and requires an investment of at least EUR 65,000 in the share capital of a newly registered company.

Estonian residence permits give their holders visa-free travel rights in the Schengen area.