Bad news for Kadyrov's nephew: Serbia revokes citizenship

Serbia's government has taken the decisive step of revoking the citizenship previously granted to J. Zakarijev, the nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. This abrupt reversal, made on April 23, 2026, cites significant concerns over potential threats to the lives and health of Serbian citizens, as well as broader public safety risks. The decision signals a swift reaction from the Serbian authorities following public disclosure of the citizenship grant.

The Serbian government's move came shortly after the investigative publication "Nedeljnik" exposed that J. Zakarijev had been granted citizenship. The media outlet reported on April 25th that the government's initial decision to grant citizenship was based on a legal provision allowing for the naturalization of foreigners whose admission would be of interest to the Republic of Serbia. However, the government had not officially clarified the specific Serbian interests that justified granting citizenship to Kadyrov's nephew, raising questions about the initial decision-making process.

By rescinding the citizenship, the Serbian government appears to be prioritizing national security and public order over any perceived strategic benefit of associating with figures linked to controversial international leaders. This action demonstrates a willingness to correct course when potential risks are identified and publicly scrutinized, particularly when they involve individuals connected to figures like Ramzan Kadyrov, whose regime has faced international criticism. The swiftness of the revocation suggests a clear understanding of the potential ramifications and a desire to preemptively mitigate any negative consequences for Serbia.

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