Against the background of the rapid deterioration of French-Russian relations, and following the highly controversial approval of the “foreign agents” law in Georgia, French citizen researcher Laurent Vinatier was arrested in Russia under equivalent laws and in the United States , what is the FARA legislation?
French researcher Laurent Vinatier admitted today (7) in a Moscow court to a charge: “Failure to register as a foreign agent” At the same time gathering information about the Russian military – which of course has become a big deal in the current situation.
Vinatier faces up to five years in prison.
Although the French Embassy approved a request for his release, he remained in pretrial detention until 5 August.
Reuters reports:
“‘I apologize for not registering as a foreign agent. The most frustrating thing is that during the 10 years I worked, I tried to defend Russia and its interests,” state news agency RIA Novosti quoted him as saying in court .
Vinatier is a Russia expert and consultant to HD, a Swiss-based conflict mediation organization whose full name is the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue.
A brief video released by Moscow’s court service showed the Frenchman being led into the courtroom in handcuffs and into a metal cage with iron bars as the hearing began.
French President Emmanuel Macron has denied that Vinatier works for the French government.
“Under Russian law, if a person engages in political activities or collects military information while receiving financial or other help from abroad, he is obliged to contact the Ministry of Justice and register as a foreign agent.”
Patrice Servantie, the French consul general in Moscow, wrote to the court saying that the academic would not abscond if released, but to no avail.
“Russia’s Investigative Committee, which deals with serious crimes, said Vinatier was suspected of “deliberately collecting information in the field of military and military-technical activities” that could be used to harm national security.”
Vinatier’s expertise is Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. He has been a consultant at HD for 10 years and is based in Geneva.
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