MOSCOW, May 28 (RAPSI) - The Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, on Wednesday passed a bill on penalties for concealing dual citizenship.

This bill is seeking to oblige Russian citizens to notify the Federal Migration Service within two months of acquiring foreign citizenship. Failure to do so would result in a fine of up to 200,000 rubles ($5,838) or up to 400 hours of compulsory community service. It was submitted to the lower house on March 31 by Andrei Lugovoi (LDPR).

If citizens notify the Federal Migration Service about their dual citizenship untimely or submit notifications containing deliberate misrepresentations they will face fines of up to 1,000 rubles (app.$30).

Those who fail to notify the Federal Migration Service may face criminal charges.  On May 23, Russia’s State Duma adopted the bill in the third and final reading.  The legislation will be presented for President Vladimir Putin’s signature.