Putin grants citizenship to French film star

Depardieu seeks escape from tax hikes, receives welcome in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted citizenship to Gerard Depardieu, the French movie star whose decision to quit his homeland to avoid a tax hike prompted accusations of national betrayal.

The Cyrano de Bergerac and Green Card actor bought a house across the border in Belgium last year to avoid a new tax rate for millionaires planned by French President Francois Hollande, but said he could also seek tax exile elsewhere.