Russian law to strip ‘ terrorists’ of citizenship

Russian MPs on Wednesday passed a law to strip naturalized citizens of passports for off ences classed as “terrorism” following a deadly April suicide bombing in the Saint Petersburg metro.

The lower house of parliament passed the bill in its fi nal third reading. It now goes through the senate and to President Vladimir Putin for a fi nal signature.

Putin called for such a law after the April 3 attack in the second city of Saint Petersburg by a bomber who was born in Kyrgyzstan but then gained Russian citizenship. The bomber and 15 others died in the attack. Putin said authorities should have the power to revoke the passports of naturalized citizens on terror grounds, citing large numbers of Russian nationals joining the Islamic State group to fi ght in Syria.

The new legislation introduces an oath for those who acquire Russian citizenship to observe the laws and constitution and “to be true to Russia, to respect its culture, history and traditions.”

The new legislation says anyone who is convicted of committing or preparing to commit a crime “involving terrorist activity” can be stripped of naturalized citizenship.

Those convicted of such off ences will be treated legally as if they lied when they swore the oath of allegiance. Courts would be obliged to inform the immigration authorities within fi ve days of such a verdict entering force.