MOSCOW. April 5 (Interfax) - The State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots backed an amendment to the presidential bill on Wednesday on denaturalization for actions threatening Russia's national security.
"The amendment is absolutely necessary under the circumstances," Valentina Kazakova, head of the Russian Interior Ministry's Main Migration Department, said at the committee meeting.
In turn, the committee's first deputy head Konstantin Zatulin said it was planned that Russian citizenship could be annulled for naturalized persons, instead of citizens by birth.
Decisions on denaturalization should be made in court, he said.
According to the amendment, a federal law enforcement agency or its territorial bodies should be able to decide whether to annul an individual's Russian citizenship for actions committed against Russian national security.
Most committee members backed the amendment.
Public actions that discredit the Russian Armed Forces' operations for protecting the interests of Russia and its citizens and maintaining world peace and security, the performance of Russian government agencies, and assistance given by volunteer units, organizations and individuals in the fulfillment of missions by the Russian Armed Forces may also lead to denaturalization.
Denaturalization is possible for violating Russia's territorial integrity.
Another approved amendment envisages denaturalization for carrying out the activities of a foreign or international non-governmental organization branded as unwelcome in Russia.
The State Duma will hold its second hearing on the bill on April 11.