In a dramatic policy reversal, the Serbian government has revoked the citizenship of Jakub Salmanovich Zakriyev, the 36-year-old nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, just five days after it was granted.
The decision, signed by Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut on April 28, 2026, was published in the Official Gazette. The move comes less than 24 hours after investigative media outlets exposed the government’s initial decision to grant Zakriyev a Serbian passport.
From “National Interest” to “National Danger”
The timeline of the case has sparked intense debate over Serbia’s vetting process for foreign nationals:
- April 23, 2026: The government grants Zakriyev citizenship under Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship, which allows for the naturalization of foreigners if it serves the “interest of the Republic of Serbia.”
- April 27, 2026: Investigative outlets like Nedeljnik and KRIK report the news, highlighting Zakriyev’s close ties to the sanctioned Chechen leader and his role in Russian business.
- April 28, 2026: The government revokes the citizenship, citing Article 184 of the Law on General Administrative Procedure—a clause used to eliminate a “serious and immediate danger to life, health, public safety, and public order.”
Who is Jakub Zakriyev?
Zakriyev is the son of Kadyrov’s sister, Zulay. Despite his young age, he has held significant power in the Chechen Republic:
- Former Mayor of Grozny: Appointed at age 27.
- Government Official: Served as Chief of Staff to Kadyrov and later as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture.
- Corporate Role: In 2023, he was appointed head of “Danone Russia” (now Health & Nutrition) after the Russian state seized the assets of the French multinational Danone.
The “Chechen Connection” in Belgrade
Zakriyev is not the only high-ranking Chechen official to seek Serbian papers. Ruslan Alisultanov, a close associate of Zakriyev and former Deputy Minister of Agriculture in Chechnya, reportedly received Serbian citizenship in March 2024. Alisultanov now reportedly owns assets formerly belonging to Danone through the company Health & Nutrition.
The sudden revocation of Zakriyev’s passport is seen by analysts as a “damage control” move by the Macut administration. Critics, including the Free Citizens Movement (PSG), had warned that granting passports to sanctioned Russian and Chechen officials jeopardizes Serbia’s visa-free regime with the European Union.
