Russian Bill Would Criminalize Hiding Of Dual Citizenship

In Moscow, the State Duma has approved on first reading a bill that would make it a crime for Russian nationals to hide their citizenship in another country.

According to amendments to the law on citizenship, adopted on May 14, Russian citizens would have to inform authorities within one month of obtaining dual citizenship.

Violation of the law, which now goes into a second reading, could be punished by a fine of up to 200,000 rubles ($5,750) or 400 hours of community service.

The deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee for national security, Andrei Lugovoi, told journalists that Russia's Investigative Committee will be involved in "revealing dual citizenship among Russian nationals."

Lugovoi added that Russian citizens who already have dual citizenship would have three months to inform the Federal Migration Service after the law comes to force.
Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS