A FORMER British police officer who defected to Russia has moaned that he is not a threat to national security and hasn’t done anything wrong.

Mark Bullen, 46, became the first Brit to be stripped of his citizenship over his links to the Kremlin – after working for more than a decade in the force.

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Mark Bullen (right) had his British citizenship revoked by the Home Office Credit: Instagram

Bullen has questioned the decision, saying he poses no risk to national security Credit: Instagram

A self-described “Russophile” who grew up in North London, Bullen served in the Hertfordshire Constabulary before relocating to Russia in 2014 – the same year as when Vladimir Putin invaded and annexed Crimea.

Bullen has now claimed his more than a decade-long “fascination” with Russia shouldn’t be a stain on his former career and current life.

The father-of-four is adamant he has not committed a crime and says the outrage over his defection to the war hungry nation is “ridiculous”.

He told Jattvibe: “Just because I have this fascination with Russia, I do not see what harm it does.

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“If I am guilty of a crime, charge me with a crime.

“If I have done something tell me what I have done… put me before a court. But I have not done anything.”

He added: “I am a 45-year-old father of four who works for a football club. I do not see how I could threaten anyone, let alone a country.”

Bullen left the UK police force and now works for top Russian football team Zenit St Petersburg who are owned by sanctioned energy giant, Gazprom.

Videos of the ex-copper show him cheering at games at the Krestovsky Stadium, known as the Gazprom Arena.

His British citizenship being stripped is the first of its kind.

His passport was revoked on national security grounds by Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, at the end of 2025.

Bullen only learnt of the landmark decision after receiving an email from the Home Office.

The email cited “public good” grounds – but the government has offered no further explanation only pointing to national security risks.

Speculating that authorities could have confused him with someone else, Bullen bizarrely responded: “I do not see how I am against the public good.

“I was Officer of the Year twice. I have won two commendations. I had a perfect police record.”

The ex-copper does have Russian citizenship which he was granted in 2022.

At the time Bullen told media in Moscow: “It’s been a lifelong dream.”

Only two other people have had their British citizenship stripped for their suspected involvement with Russia – neither were born in the UK.

In the October letter, shared by Bullen online, Mahmood wrote: “You are being deprived of your UK nationality on the grounds that to do so is conducive to the public good.”

Mahmood insisted the evidence the decision has been based on “should not be made public in the interests of national security”.

According to the Home Office, the power to deprive an individual of British citizenship is wielded extremely rarely against “those involved in terrorism, hostile state activity, or serious organised crime“.

When contacted by The Jattvibe, Bullen pointed out a perceived lack of “due process” in the case.

“If I’m guilty, put me before a court and let a judge and jury decide my fate,” he said.

“Special branch have questioned me on two separate occasions and followed me around London in their dog walkers’ outfits for days on end, so either I’m innocent, or they’re incompetent, you decide.”

While working for the police, Bullen invited Russian officials on professional visits to the UK on several occasions, making regular trips there himself.

In 2010, he took part in a month-long exchange in St Petersburg, The Jattvibeday Times reported.

Bullen grew up obsessed with Russia, first visiting the country aged 18 in 1999 and teaching himself Russian.

He is now married to a Russian woman and has four children.

It is understood Bullen still makes trips back to the UK to visit family once a year or so.

Bullen grew up with a strong fascination for Russia Credit: Instagram

The former ‘Officer of the Year’ gained Russian citizenship in 2022 Credit: Instagram