Zelenskyy revokes Odesa mayor's Ukrainian citizenship over alleged Russian passport
As-salamu alaykum - a short update on a serious development.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has moved to suspend the Ukrainian citizenship of Odesa’s mayor, Gennadiy Trukhanov, after the country’s security service said he holds a Russian international passport, which is not allowed under Ukrainian law. The president has also placed Odesa, the country’s main Black Sea port city of about 1 million people, under a temporary military administration.
Officials say the suspension follows a decree signed by Zelenskyy after a security briefing. The security service reported it is working to counter alleged Russian agent networks and collaborators in frontline and border areas and in the south, and said relevant decisions have been prepared and acted upon. Zelenskyy described the steps as matters of principle and stressed the need to address long-standing security concerns in Odesa.
Trukhanov, who has been mayor since 2014 and was once a parliament member, has repeatedly denied ever holding Russian citizenship. In a video message after the announcement he insisted, “I have never received a Russian passport. I am a Ukrainian citizen,” and said he would keep trying to carry out his elected duties and take the case to court where possible.
Photos of a passport alleged to be his have circulated online, and the move could lead to his deportation if the claims are confirmed. Sources also say the president has revoked citizenship for two other people in related cases, including a well-known dancer who took Russian nationality in 2018 and a former politician accused of collaborating with Russia. Earlier this year, the citizenship of a senior church figure with ties to Moscow was also revoked.
May Allah grant wisdom to those making these decisions and justice for anyone wronged. I’ll keep an eye on this and share more updates as things develop, insha'Allah.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news