Russia jails French researcher Laurent Vinatier for three years

Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher, was found guilty of breaking the country’s “foreign agent” law and given a three-year sentence by a Russian court.

Vinatier, who works for the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), was arrested in June amid rising tensions between Moscow and Kyiv’s Western allies over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The 48-year-old was accused of collating information without being a “foreign agent” and being charged with with gathering information about Russia’s military.

Judge Natalya Cheprasova resisted the defense’s pleas for a fine and sentenced Vinatier to three years in a penal colony, less than the maximum sentence.

Vinatier addressed the court before the sentence was imposed, apologizing for breaking the law, and reciting a verse from Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.

He watched intently as the judge delivered her verdict while standing behind metal bars while wearing a blue open-necked shirt and jeans. He was flashing quickly but did not express any emotion.

Vinatier’s lawyer Pavel Mamonov told reporters: “We consider the sentence harsh and will undoubtedly appeal.

Vinatier has been called for his release after being arbitrarily detained by France. Emmanuel Macron, the president’s representative, has denied that Vinatier worked for the French government and that Moscow is behind his arrest.

The government reiterated its request for his release following the court’s ruling on Monday. It criticized the sentence’s “extreme severity.”

According to Christophe Lemoine, a spokesman for France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, “the “foreign agent” legislation contributes to a systematic violation of fundamental freedoms in Russia.”

In a statement following Vinatier’s arrest, HD said its staff work globally and “routinely meet with a wide range of officials, experts and other parties with the aim of advancing efforts to prevent, mitigate and resolve armed conflict”.

The “foreign agent” law has been widely used to silence Kremlin critics.

Vinatier, a veteran researcher on the former Soviet Union, was detained as tensions rose after Macron claimed France might be prepared to send troops to Ukraine under certain circumstances.

Since August, ties have gotten even more strained since French authorities opened an investigation into Pavel Durov, the Russian who founded the Telegram messaging app, over use of the platform for crimes like child pornography, money laundering, and child pornography. Durov’s lawyer has called the proceedings against him absurd.

Vinatier claimed in his final court appearance that he had chosen to work in Russia 20 years ago.

“I fell in love with Russia. My wife is Russian, my friends are Russian. I lived a Russian life, that’s who I am”, he said.

During its offensive in Ukraine, Russia has detained and charged a number of Westerners with serious crimes.