Depardieu to move to Russia? Actor says new passport ‘sent by Putin’

Get short URL

Published time: December 19, 2012 08:43
Edited time: December 19, 2012 12:43

Belgium is not the only possible destination for tax exile Gerard Depardieu who is renouncing his French citizenship in search of a better financial future. “Putin has already sent me a passport!” the actor announced.

­Depardieu reportedly mentioned three countries are ready to receive him. Belgium, where he has just bought a house, Montenegro, where he has friends and some businesses, and Russia: "Putin has already sent me a passport!" Le Monde has quoted Depardieu as saying.

Russia boasts a flat 13% income tax rate could become a tax haven for the Academy-award nominated actor.  

Depardieu has an army of fans in Russia where one of his latest roles saw him playing one of the most mysterious and dark figures in Russian history – Grigory Rasputin.

Earlier this week the 63-year-old star said he was renouncing his French citizenship over the “insulting” accusations of tax evasion he faced after announcing plans to move to Belgium.

"I don't ask for approval, but I could at least be respected!" Depardieu wrote in an open letter to Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. "All those who have left France have not been insulted as I have been," the actor noted, his words referred to Prime Minster Jean Marc Ayrault`s comment when he called the actor’s decision to leave his native country "pathetic".