A new scandal has erupted in Spain over the issue of granting citizenship. The National Court has overturned the decision to issue a Spanish passport to Russian businessman Aleksandr Dmitrenko. The reversal was due to suspicions about his ties to Russian intelligence services and criminal networks, as well as the discovery of a previous contradictory court ruling.
Dmitrenko, who has lived in Catalonia for many years, came under the spotlight after his name surfaced in an investigation into the funding of the Catalan independence movement. Investigators claimed he could have acted as an intermediary between associates of former Generalitat leader Carles Puigdemont and representatives from Moscow. Although some of the charges against him were later dropped, suspicions have lingered.
In 2018, the businessman applied for citizenship, citing his marriage to a Spanish citizen and a clean criminal record. He also submitted certificates proving his language proficiency and integration into society. However, state attorneys considered the evidence of his reliability insufficient and recommended denying his application.
After receiving no response, Dmitrenko turned to the courts, and after several years one panel of the National Audience recognized his right to citizenship. However, during the application process, it was discovered that another court within the same institution had already denied a similar request a year earlier. That decision was based on a classified report from Spanish intelligence, stating that the businessman was carrying out assignments for the Kremlin and maintaining ties with leaders of transnational organized crime.
Judicial contradictions and new developments
After the contradiction between the two court rulings was uncovered, along with information about a previously opened criminal case against Dmitrenko in Madrid, the judges reconsidered their stance. Although the criminal case was suspended due to the defendant’s whereabouts being unknown, this fact served as an additional argument against granting citizenship.
As a result, in September 2025, the National Audience officially overturned its previous decision. The ruling states that intelligence materials and the existence of an active court case make it impossible to acknowledge the right to a Spanish passport. Dmitrenko himself categorically denies all allegations and intends to continue fighting for citizenship in the Supreme Court.
Reaction and consequences
The story has sparked widespread debate in Spanish society, especially amid ongoing discussions about the safety and transparency of citizenship procedures for foreigners. The case of Dmitrenko has become an example of how contradictions between court rulings and classified intelligence reports can affect an applicant’s fate. Authorities emphasize that their priority remains protecting national interests and preventing potential threats.
