Post date: Jan 03, 2013 12:39:53 PM
Russia's Putin signs decree granting French actor Gerard Depardieu citizenship.
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (REUTERS) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree granting French actor Gerard Depardieu citizenship, the Kremlin said on Thursday (January 3).
A popular and colourful figure in France, 63-year-old Depardieu has sought shelter outside his native country after tax increases by Socialist President Francois Hollande.Putin in December offered Depardieu a Russian passport in response to a question during his annual televised news conference as he heaped praise on Depardieu.
"I know that he considers himself a French, he loves his country very much, he loves its history and its culture, he lives with this. I am sure that now he is going through hard times, and I hope they will be over at last. Regarding the humanitarian side of the issue, if Gerard really wants to have either a residency permit in Russia or a Russian passport, we will assume that this matter is settled and settled positively."
A statement on the Kremlin's website on Thursday said Putin has signed a decree granting Depardieu citizenship. The wording of the statement suggested that Depardieu had applied for citizenship.
An assistant of Depardieu declined to comment.
Depardieu is well-known in Russia where he has appeared in many advertising campaigns, and in 2012 he was one of several Western celebrities invited to celebrate the birthday of Ramzan Kadyrov, Chechnya's Kremlin-backed leader.
He also worked in Russia last year on a film about the life and times of the eccentric Russian monk Grigory Rasputin.
On the streets of Moscow on Thursday there was a mixed response to Depardieu's citizenship.
Muscovite Lev Nikolaevich said Depardieu's fondness for a drink would stand him in good stead amongst Russians.
"He is a normal guy, he is fond of drinking too I suppose, (LAUGHS), the Russian way, so let him come here, it will be like a rebuke to the French who are burning cars already," he said.
Others were of the opinion that Depardieu should still pay his taxes in France.
"He got scared of the high taxes, and he decided to evade them. I think the rich ones should nevertheless pay proper taxes," said Muscovite Alevtina.