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Gerard Depardieu 'granted Russian citizenship' | Gerard Depardieu 'granted Russian citizenship' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
French actor Gerard Depardieu has obtained Russian citizenship, according to a brief statement posted on the Kremlin website. | French actor Gerard Depardieu has obtained Russian citizenship, according to a brief statement posted on the Kremlin website. |
"Vladimir Putin has signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to Gerard Depardieu," the message read. | "Vladimir Putin has signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to Gerard Depardieu," the message read. |
Mr Depardieu recently announced he would give up his French passport after the government criticised his decision to move abroad to avoid higher taxes. | Mr Depardieu recently announced he would give up his French passport after the government criticised his decision to move abroad to avoid higher taxes. |
In December, Mr Putin said he would be happy to welcome the actor in Russia. | In December, Mr Putin said he would be happy to welcome the actor in Russia. |
"I'm sure the French authorities did not want to offend Mr Depardieu. But if he'd like to have a Russian passport, consider it settled," Mr Putin said during his annual news conference on 20 December. | "I'm sure the French authorities did not want to offend Mr Depardieu. But if he'd like to have a Russian passport, consider it settled," Mr Putin said during his annual news conference on 20 December. |
Under France's civil code, dual citizenship is permitted but it is unlawful to be stateless. | Under France's civil code, dual citizenship is permitted but it is unlawful to be stateless. |
A person must obtain another nationality before giving up French citizenship. | A person must obtain another nationality before giving up French citizenship. |
Mr Depardieu has not yet commented on the Kremlin's latest announcement. | Mr Depardieu has not yet commented on the Kremlin's latest announcement. |
'Shabby' decision | 'Shabby' decision |
His highly publicised tax row began last year after Socialist President Francois Hollande said he planned to raise taxes to 75% for those earning more than 1m euros (£817,400). | |
Lambasting the government for punishing "success, creation and talent", the actor announced in early December that he would move to Belgium. | Lambasting the government for punishing "success, creation and talent", the actor announced in early December that he would move to Belgium. |
Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault retaliated by calling the decision "shabby". | Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault retaliated by calling the decision "shabby". |
Although the Constitutional Council struck down Mr Hollande's tax rise proposal on Sunday, Mr Depardieu said this did not change the situation "one bit". | Although the Constitutional Council struck down Mr Hollande's tax rise proposal on Sunday, Mr Depardieu said this did not change the situation "one bit". |
The French actor, described by Mr Putin as a successful businessman and friend, has developed close ties with Russia, which has a flat 13% personal income tax rate. | The French actor, described by Mr Putin as a successful businessman and friend, has developed close ties with Russia, which has a flat 13% personal income tax rate. |
He currently appears in an advertisement for Sovietsky Bank's credit card and is prominently featured on the bank's home page. | He currently appears in an advertisement for Sovietsky Bank's credit card and is prominently featured on the bank's home page. |
In 2011, he played the lead role in the film Rasputin, a Franco-Russian production about the life of eccentric monk Grigory Rasputin. | In 2011, he played the lead role in the film Rasputin, a Franco-Russian production about the life of eccentric monk Grigory Rasputin. |
In addition, Mr Depardieu has also helped raise funds for a children's hospital in St Petersburg. | In addition, Mr Depardieu has also helped raise funds for a children's hospital in St Petersburg. |