For the First Time in Russia, Citizenship Revoked for Criminal Offense

Two men facing criminal charges for illicit drug trafficking have been deprived of their Russian citizenship in Moscow. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

The men had acquired Russian citizenship through the legally established procedure. One of them was found in possession of 19 packages of methamphetamine, while the other had one package of the same synthetic drug. They have been held accountable under charges related to the acquisition, storage, transportation, and production of narcotics in particularly large quantities.

“Additionally, decisions have been made to terminate these individuals' citizenship of the Russian Federation. Their valid Russian passports have been confiscated,” the press service stated.

As of October, a new law is in effect in Russia allowing for the revocation of citizenship for spreading false information about the armed forces, discrediting the army, committing serious crimes, as well as actions posing a threat to Russia's national security, desertion, and incitement to extremism.