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State Duma Passes Law Against 'Hiding' Dual Citizenship

The State Duma on Friday passed a law requiring Russians with dual citizenship to notify the Federal Migration Service or face hefty fines.

The law, passed in its third and final reading, states that those with citizenship or residency permits for other countries must declare the information in writing to the Russian migration authorities within 60 days of receiving their foreign documents.

Under the law, published on the Duma's website, those found to be "hiding" their second citizenship could be fined up to 200,000 rubles ($5,800) or given a maximum of 400 hours of community service.

Lesser violations, such as filing the paperwork late or incomplete, are punishable by a fine of up to 1,000 rubles.

Russian citizens permanently living abroad cannot be penalized under the new law.

Exceptions have also been made for residents of the newly-annexed Crimean peninsula, where the law will not take effect until 2016.

Many Crimean residents have taken up Russian citizenship since the annexation in March.

See also:

Bill Proposes Fines for Those 'Hiding' Dual Citizenship

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