Yakub Zakriyev Loses Serbian Passport
Serbian authorities have revoked the citizenship of Yakub Zakriyev, the nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. The cancellation was carried out under a law that permits stripping citizenship in cases posing a serious and immediate threat to public safety. Serbian broadcaster Nedeljnik reported the news, noting that the government’s decision did not mention Zakriyev by name, only his registration number.
Zakriyev, whose mother is Kadyrov’s older sister, had previously obtained Serbian citizenship through a fast-track process. That move was justified by the interests of the Republic of Serbia. The citizenship was granted without requiring him to reside in the country or renounce any other passport. Over his career, Zakriyev has held several high-profile roles, including mayor of Grozny, head of administration, deputy prime minister, and minister of agriculture. In 2023, he was appointed head of the Russian division of the company Danone.
Sanctions and a Shift in Policy
Now 25 years old, Zakriyev is under sanctions from both the United States and the United Kingdom. After Nedeljnik published its investigation, Serbian officials revisited their decision to grant him citizenship. The Serbian government stated that 'this individual poses a threat to the life and health of people, public safety, order, and peace.'
The revocation of Zakriyev’s citizenship could signal a change in how Serbian authorities approach security and migration policy, especially under pressure from the international community. The activities of Zakriyev and his family, tied to the Chechen regime, likely raised red flags among Serbian officials—a development that may influence future decisions on granting citizenship to other individuals from Russia. This case also highlights the growing importance of citizenship oversight in the context of global security and human rights.