Ex-Police Officer Stripped of UK Citizenship Over Russian Ties

Mark Bullen, a former British police officer, has had his citizenship revoked due to alleged ties to Russia, marking a first-of-its-kind decision in the UK. The revocation was justified on national security grounds by Secretary Shabana Mahmood, although the specific evidence has not been disclosed. Bullen, who has lived in Russia since 2014 and obtained Russian citizenship in 2022, claims he has been unfairly targeted and has denied any wrongdoing. He was previously questioned by UK counterterrorism officers during a trip back to the UK in November 2024, where his electronic devices were seized. Bullen's case is notable as he is the first British citizen to lose citizenship over links to Russia, while two others who lost their citizenship were not born in the UK. The decision reflects the UK's increasing scrutiny of individuals with connections to hostile states. Bullen has expressed outrage over the lack of due process in his case.

Key Points: • Mark Bullen is the first Brit to lose citizenship over alleged ties to Russia. • The decision was made on national security grounds, but evidence remains undisclosed. • Bullen denies wrongdoing and claims the process lacked due legal procedure.