Moscow - Russian Government Wonders Why Chief Rabbi Was Granted Citizenship

Moscow - The Russian State Duma wants law enforcement agencies to explain why Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, a U.S. citizen, was granted Russian citizenship in a simplified procedure.

The motion to seek an explanation was initiated by Boris Vinogradov, a Rodina faction member.

The State Duma instructed a relevant parliamentary committee to request information from the Interior Ministry and the Federal Migration Service on "legal grounds for granting Russian citizenship to U.S. citizen Berel Lazar in a simplified procedure."