A former police officer who fled Britain for Russia has been stripped of his UK citizenship over “national security” concerns.
Mark Bullen, 45, became infatuated with Russia as a child, and always set his sights on moving to the country permanently.
“I have always been interested in Russia from a young age,” he said. “As a child, I just had an obsession with Russia and its culture. I can never pinpoint one thing that started it – I have no family connection to Russia.”
Originally from Bracknell in Berkshire, Mr Bullen spent 11 years at Hertfordshire Police, where he wrote a book on Russian crime and tattoos, before moving to St Petersburg in 2014.
He remains in the city, now with his wife and four children, but 10 years on, Mr Bullen was detained at Luton Airport under the Terrorism Act.
Police questioned him for four hours before releasing him – but in October of last year, he received a letter from the Home Office informing him that his UK citizenship had been revoked.
“For them to do this, without any evidence, is ridiculous,” Mr Bullen said.
The letter explained that it was a matter of “national security”.
A former police officer who fled Britain for Russia has been stripped of his UK citizenship over ‘national security’ concerns.
|
PA
Mark Bullen permanently moved to St Petersburg in 2014
|
GETTY
Mr Bullen first moved to Russia at the tender age of 18, already fluent in the language, and taught English before moving back to join the force in 1999.
MORE TO FOLLOW…
