Former British police officer has citizenship revoked on ‘national security’ grounds after moving to Russia

The citizenship of a former police officer who moved to Russia was revoked by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for ‘national security’ reasons.

Mark Bullen, originally from Bracknell in Berkshire, worked for Hertfordshire Police for 11 years, where he wrote a training manual on Russian crime.

He moved there permanently in 2014 because he had been interested in the country’s culture since childhood.

Mark later went on to work in the media team of Russian football club Zenit St Petersburg and lives in the city with his four children.

But 10 years after leaving England to see his family, he was detained by police at Luton Airport.

He was questioned for four hours under the Terrorism Act before being released without charge.

Then in October last year Mr Bullen received a letter from the Home Office informing him that his UK citizenship had been revoked on national security grounds.

Mark said: ‘It’s ridiculous that they would do this without any evidence.’

Mark was photographed with his four children with whom he lives in St Petersburg, Russia

The 45-year-old actor admitted that he could not understand where and when his passion for Russian culture began.

He said: ‘I have always been interested in Russia since my young age.

‘As a child I had an obsession with Russia and its culture, I can never pinpoint one single thing that started it. I have no family ties to Russia.

‘Then in my teenage years I had a pen pal from Russia.

‘I first came when I was 17, took two trips and loved it.’

A year later, when Mark turned 18, he left home and began traveling around Europe to live in St Petersburg.

Already a fluent Russian speaker, he taught English as a job before returning home to join the police in 1999.

But Mark had always planned to return to the country and live here later in life.

After leaving the police in 2014, he started working in the media team of football club Zenit St Petersburg.

He joined Hertfordshire Police and used his knowledge of the Russian language to create a handbook on Russian crime and prison tattoos.

His fluency also led to him earning a certificate in 2010 for helping calm a drunk and distressed Latvian man who had doused himself in gasoline in a city centre.

In 2014, Mark decided to return to Russia permanently, where he unexpectedly started working in football.

He said: ‘When I came back to Russia, I had planned to write a book about Russian crimes and in the meantime I was teaching English.

‘I’m a big football fan too and went to every Zenit St Petersburg match.

‘The club then contacted me, they found out I was an English and Russian speaking football fan and asked me on social media if I wanted an English language job.

‘I had experience of using Twitter for the police, so I said yes.’

Mark met his wife and now lives in St Petersburg with their four children. He became a dual Russian citizen in 2022.

The former police officer admitted that it was always his dream to return to Russia and live permanently

He had no problems returning to the UK until 2020 to visit his parents, grandparents and sister.

He said: ‘I would come back once or twice a year and it was easy, I could get a Wizz Air flight from St Petersburg to Luton.

‘It became much more difficult during the pandemic period.’

Later in November 2024, Mark was detained by police upon his arrival at Luton Airport.

He added: ‘When I last returned in November 2024, I was forcibly detained as part of a terrorist act at Luton Airport.

‘I arrived and those who detained me did not introduce themselves. I was interrogated for four years on terrorism charges.

‘Legal representation was refused despite me asking three times.

‘I only found out he was a police officer when a man I used to work with came looking for me. I said hello to him and he said he was doing his job.

‘They took my DNA and fingerprints, I had to undress to take a photo.

‘I was released and was able to continue my work while at home.’

Former police officer (pictured) detained at Luton Airport under the Terrorism Act

In October last year, Mark received a letter from the Home Office informing him that his citizenship had been revoked on ‘national security’ grounds.

He said he was “completely shocked” when he received the letter sent by Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood.

He said: ‘I absolutely deny that I am any threat to the UK. I find this funny.

‘I find it difficult to believe that a country like England, which is supposed to be in favor of freedom and liberty, would act this way.

‘I was never accused. ‘I have an excellent police record, I have been commended twice, awarded police officer of the year.’

After the Home Office decision, Mark has no plans to return home in the near future.

‘I was worried at first, but when the dust settled I felt fine. Especially after what happened last time.

‘I live in Russia, my family is here, I have four children, we have a pretty good lifestyle.

‘But it’s ridiculous for them to do this without any evidence.

‘I’m sure this is an overreaction. ‘I have no idea why they targeted me.’

Under section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981, the Home Secretary has the power to strip a person of British citizenship if he or she considers it to be in the public interest to do so.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs declined to comment.