**Serbian Citizenship Granted to Four Russian Oligarchs: What’s Behind the Decision?**
A recent report by Nedeljnik, a Serbian weekly news magazine, has shed light on a surprising development in the country’s citizenship landscape. At least four Russian oligarchs have been granted Serbian passports, sparking questions about the criteria behind this decision.
According to Nedeljnik, the four individuals who received Serbian citizenship are high-profile business tycoons with estimated wealth in the billions of dollars. They include Oleg Boyko, Sergey Lomakin, Evgeny Strzhalkovsky, and Yuri Kushnerov. The report suggests that these oligarchs have been diversifying their assets in recent years, relocating them from Russia to Serbia due to global sanctions.
**The Lack of Transparency**
What’s intriguing about this story is the lack of transparency surrounding the decision-making process behind granting Serbian citizenship to these four individuals. Nedeljnik reported that they discovered information about the acceptance of these oligarchs into Serbian citizenship by searching through government decisions published in the Official Gazette. All the documents were signed by Milos Vucevic, the caretaker Prime Minister.
The formal reason cited for granting citizenship under Article 19, paragraphs 1 and 3, of the Law on Citizenship is “interest for the Republic of Serbia.” However, as Nedeljnik pointed out, this vague reasoning raises more questions than answers. What specific interests do these Russian oligarchs have in Serbia? How does their presence contribute to the country’s economic or social development?
**Implications and Analysis**
The granting of Serbian citizenship to four high-profile Russian oligarchs has significant implications for the country’s relations with the international community, particularly given the current sanctions imposed on Russia. It raises questions about the government’s priorities and the criteria used in evaluating citizenship applications.
While it is not uncommon for countries to grant citizenship to individuals from other nations who demonstrate a genuine interest or contribution to their economy, this case seems to be more complex. The fact that these oligarchs have significant wealth and business interests outside of Serbia, but are now seeking Serbian passports, suggests that there may be other motivations at play.
**A Commentary**
This development highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in government decision-making processes, particularly when it comes to granting citizenship to high-profile individuals. The lack of clear criteria or reasoning behind this decision raises concerns about corruption and the potential for favoritism.
As Serbia seeks closer ties with the European Union, such decisions can have far-reaching implications for its international reputation and relationships. It is essential that the government provides a clear explanation for why these Russian oligarchs were granted Serbian citizenship and what specific interests they bring to the table.
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