Georgia to change citizenship procedures
By Jamila Babayeva
Georgian Ministry of Justice has submitted amendments to the Law on Citizenship of Georgia to the parliament.
The bill exempts those interested in the restoration of citizenship from a test to verify the knowledge of the history and legislation of Georgia. The applicants will pass a Georgian language test only.
The bill also specifies procedures for deprivation of citizenship. Living in another country will not be taken as a base for canceling Georgian citizenship.
The current legislation does not regulate the cancellation of Georgian citizenship for those holding dual citizenship. The bill does not allow deprivation of Georgian citizenship of persons granted a foreign nationality.
Georgia also expanded a list of crimes, which deprives the convicts of a right to obtain Georgian citizenship. The Georgian citizenship cannot be granted to anyone who has committed an international crime against peace and humanity, participated in state crimes specified in the Georgian legislation, or committed serious crimes against public security and order.