Moldovans Fleeing Russia Seek Citizenship Back Home
The number of applications to regain Moldovan citizenship is rising, with many requests coming from Russia, says Mircea Eșanu, head of the Public Services Agency (ASP).
"The war in Ukraine and Russia's increasingly restrictive human rights situation are motivating Moldovans who left to reclaim their citizenship," Eșanu explained on Radio Moldova's "360 degrees" show.
Eșanu notes that applicants often come from countries that don't allow dual citizenship, particularly Russia. Many applicants are also descendants of people deported to the Soviet Union during its rule.
Moldovan authorities take these applications seriously, carefully verifying each case. The process now takes up to six months, an increase from the previous time frame.
Last year, Moldovan authorities denied citizenship in 30 cases, often due to falsified documents or criminal records.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
