Russia threatens denaturalization of Central Asians who oppose conscription

The Russian government could revoke the Russian passports of naturalized citizens from Central Asia if they defy President Vladimir Putin’s orders, senior human rights officials said. Said Thursday.

Kirill Kabanov, a member of the Presidential Council on Human Rights, has issued a warning after four former Soviet republics in Central Asia. threatened Their citizens are criminally prosecuted for fighting in foreign conflicts.

Kabanov said his agency was drafting new rules as part of President Putin’s mobilization order for immigrants who acquired Russian citizenship within the past decade.

The draft includes mandatory military service within one year for Russian citizens from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, he wrote on his Telegram channel.

Citizens of these countries, who often migrate to Russia in search of work, considerable share Percentage of foreigners granted Russian passports.

“A refusal of military service should deprive not only the subject of military service, but also members of their families of Russian citizenship,” Kabanov said.

He said it “would be an appropriate response to an official ban” on Central Asian countries’ participation in hostilities abroad.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, there have been reports that Central Asian citizens living in Russia are being pressured to fight on Moscow’s side.

Migrant rights activists told the Moscow Times in the spring that recruitment tactics included Promise of swift citizenship In exchange for Central Asians signing up for contract services with the Russian army.

Russian lawmakers this week simplify Citizenship for foreigners completing a one-year contract with the Russian Armed Forces.

Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin announced Opening of military recruitment sites for foreigners in migration centers outside the Russian capital.