Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has received Israeli citizenship after his British visa was not renewed, an official with the Immigrant Absorption Ministry said Monday.
Britain said this month it would review long-term visas of Russian oligarchs after the March poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury. Britain has accused Russia of exposing them to a nerve agent. Moscow denies the charge.
Abramovich, who owns the Chelsea Football Club, arrived in Israel on Monday. Israel grants automatic citizenship to anyone of Jewish descent.
Another official told Channel 10 News that Abramovich submitted a citizenship request through the Israeli Embassy in Moscow and was "treated like any other person."
With a net worth of over $11 billion, Abramovich, who bought the English Premier League soccer club in 2003, has been counted as one of the richest men in Britain.
Israeli media reported that Abramovich, who by making aliyah has become the richest Israeli to date, plans to reside in Tel Aviv, where he has bought property.
