Serbia grants citizenship to former Fatah party strongman
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 1 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Serbia grants citizenship to former Fatah party strongman, 1 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54e1a48e6.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 01, 2015
Serbia has granted citizenship to a political rival of Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas.
Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said on February 1 that Mohammed Dahlan was given citizenship in 2013.
Dahlan's wife, four children, another relative, and five Palestinian supporters were also given Serbian passports.
Dahlan, 53, is a businessman and a former Abbas aide and security chief.
He was expelled from the Fatah party in 2011 and lost his parliamentary immunity following allegations of corruption and murder.
He has lived in exile in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.).
The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network reported last week that "Dahlan is credited with facilitating Abu Dhabi's promised investment of billions of euros in Serbia."
Serbian authorities haven't publicly commented on any link between the passports given to the Palestinians and the U.A.E.'s planned investments.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
