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Gérard Depardieu says he's giving up French passport

Actor claims he was "insulted" by critics for becoming a tax exile in Belgium and writes letter to prime minister renouncing his French passport.

La rédaction de Mediapart

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French actor Gerard Depardieu, claiming he was "insulted" by critics for becoming a tax exile in Belgium, announced he was giving up his French passport, reports AFP.

The 63-year-old star said in an open letter to Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, published by the Journal du Dimanche on Sunday: "I don't ask to be approved, but I could at least be respected!"

Earlier in the week the French prime minister described the Cyrano de Bergerac star's decision to quit France as "pathetic."

In his letter Depardieu responded: "All those who have left France have not been insulted as I have been."

Depardieu said he had always paid his taxes and asked the prime minister: "Who are you to judge me in this way?"

Read more of this report from AFP.