Russia

Russian Protester, Family Stripped of Citizenship

Published NOV 3 2022

Story

Image credit: Reuters [via Al Jazeera]

The Facts

After five months of legal proceedings, a Russian judge in a Moscow region court ruled on Monday that prominent anti-war and climate activist Arshak Makichyan's citizenship is invalid, along with that of his father and two brothers.
Al Jazeera
The decision to strip the Armenian-born Makichyan and his relatives of their Russian nationality and render them stateless comes after a court ruled last week that they gave false information when applying for citizenship. Makichyan's application was made as a 10-year-old in 2004.
The Associated Press
Makichyan, dubbed Russia's "lone climate activist" for his solo protests on Moscow's Pushkin Square and who is currently living in Germany in exile, is a fierce critic of Russia's role in the Ukraine war.
The Moscow Times
According to his lawyer Olga Podoplelova, the judge committed a "very serious violation" of Russian law by not announcing the verdict immediately after the hearing, instead reporting it by phone the next day.
Al Jazeera
Since the ruling doesn't take effect until the conclusion of the appeals process, his family can remain in Russia. While Makichyan's German visa is valid until the end of the year, he doesn't "intend to ask for asylum" but is hopeful that European politicians may help him.
ABC News
Multiple Russian businessmen have also renounced their citizenship in protest of Russia's actions in Ukraine, including tech company Revolut co-founder, Nikolay Storonsky, and billionaire tech investor Yuri Milner.
The Washington Post

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The Spin

Anti-Russia narrative

Though millions of Russians are opposed to the Ukraine war, Makichyan's public protests were a rare sight — especially since Putin decided to invade Ukraine and criminalize dissent. This is another example of Russia's Soviet-style crackdown, aimed at instilling fear in those who oppose the regime.

openDemocracy

Pro-Russia narrative

The West may claim that Makichyan is a victim of a uniquely Russian form of suppression, but other countries revoke dual citizenship status for taking a pro-Russia stance in the Ukraine war. Moldova, for example, has threatened its Russian dual citizens with prison time or citizenship revocation if they choose to fight for Russia.

Balkan Insight