More than 600,000 Russians have disclosed to the Federal Migration Service that they hold dual citizenship in accordance with a controversial new law, a news report said Thursday.
An unidentified spokesperson at the migration service told the TASS news agency Thursday that more than 600,000 Russians had informed officials that they have "foreign citizenship, residency or another document confirming the right to permanent residency in a foreign state."
Under Russia's new dual citizenship law, those with a foreign passport or resident status abroad were given until Oct. 4 to notify the authorities.
Failure to inform the migration service is punishable by a fine of 200,000 rubles ($4,800) or 400 hours of community service.
The legislation was signed into law by President Vladimir Putin in June, to criticism from activists who say the measure is just a stepping stone to banning dual citizenship altogether.
