John Anthony Roblesbecause this is the name of a man who has been a Russian citizen since Monday and has been living in Russia since 1996. According to local media, he worked as a teacher and an international journalist. An act confirming a decision Vladimir Putinwas published on the legal information website.
“The first political refugee from the USA.” Russia has gained a new citizen
In addition to receiving new documents, Robles also decided to renounce his American citizenship. According to the Russian website RBC, for some time the man maintained correspondence with a Russian woman named Galina, with whom he eventually fell in love.
Less than 30 years ago, he decided to leave his previous life, take his children with him and come to her home. Russia. When he arrived, no one was waiting for him. It turned out that Galina does not exist.
Russian media indicate that after his arrival, Robles applied for political asylum, which he ultimately received. However, he had to wait until 2024 for citizenship. According to Russian media, Robles supports Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine and “helped the residents Donbass“.
Menell, Snowden, Seagal. Americans who became Russians
John Robles is one of 11 people who received Russian citizenship thanks to Putin's decree. New documents were also obtained by a person from… Brazil footballer Douglas Santosplaying in the club Zenit Saint Petersburg. Existing citizens also became “new” Russians Lebanon, Armenia, Uzbekistan, AustraliaWhether Canada.
The 58-year-old is not the first American to receive a Russian passport in recent years. In 2023, it was awarded to a Dynamo Moscow hockey player, Brennanowi Menellowi. A year earlier, it was obtained by a former CIA employee Edward Snowdenwho escaped to in 2013 Moscow. Since 2016, the actor has also been a Russian citizen Steven Seagal.
Source: Ria Novosti, RBC