A British citizen has been stripped of his citizenship for the first time due to ties to Russia

Former police officer Mark Bullen has become the first British-born citizen to have his passport revoked on national security grounds due to collaboration with an aggressor state. 

The Times reported this, noting that the decision was made by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Previously, such measures were applied exclusively to terrorism suspects, but the activities of 45-year-old Bullen were classified as a threat to the state.

The investigation was triggered by Bullen’s questioning at Luton Airport, where he arrived from Russia, where he has been residing recently. The investigation established that during his ten years of service with the Hertfordshire Police, the man maintained contacts with high-ranking Russian officers and underwent training in St. Petersburg. In 2022, he realized his “lifelong dream” by obtaining a Russian passport, and his social media accounts are filled with anti-Ukrainian propaganda and justifications for Russia’s actions.

Currently, Bullen, who is in Russia, denies all charges of espionage and hostile activities. His case sets a legal precedent in the UK regarding the revocation of citizenship for individuals integrated into Russian security agencies. British police continue to examine the seized electronic media to determine the full scope of data that may have been transmitted to foreign intelligence services.

British law enforcement officials have uncovered a network that purchased a bank to finance Russia’s war and launder billions.

Earlier in Germany, two people were detained on suspicion of sabotage against Bundeswehr Navy ships, specifically the corvette Emden.