According to Serbian Economist, the Serbian government revoked the citizenship of Jakov Salmanovich Zakriev, the nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, five days after granting it. This was reported with reference to a decision published in the “Official Gazette.”
The decision to revoke citizenship was signed on April 28 by Serbian Prime Minister Džuro Matsu. Zakriev initially received a Serbian passport under Article 19 of the Citizenship Law—as a foreigner whose admission to citizenship “is in the interest of the Republic of Serbia.”
The authorities later revised this decision. The government cited Article 184 of the General Administrative Procedure Act, which allows for the revocation of a decision that has already been implemented if necessary to eliminate a serious and immediate threat to human life and health, public safety, public order, or to prevent serious disruptions to the economy.
The story became public after Serbian media reported that citizenship had been granted to Zakriyev as a person of interest to the country. Less than a day later, the authorities revoked their decision.
Zakriyev is the son of Kadyrov’s older sister; he previously served as mayor of Grozny and later worked in the Chechen government.
