Russia holds Frenchman accused of military spying
Moscow has announced the detention of a French national on allegations of gathering intelligence regarding Russia’s military operations and failing to register as a “foreign agent.”
Russia’s Investigative Committee (SK) expressed concern that such information if acquired by foreign entities, could pose a threat to national security.
The SK also released video footage purportedly depicting the apprehension of the unidentified male suspect at a café in Moscow.
French President Emmanuel Macron clarified that the individual was not operating on behalf of France. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for a Switzerland-based NGO revealed that their advisor, Laurent Vinatier, had been detained in Moscow.
The NGO, known for its efforts in conflict resolution and mediation worldwide, expressed efforts to ascertain details of Vinatier’s situation and secure his release.
Subsequently, President Macron reiterated that the detained individual was not affiliated with the French government. Tensions between Paris and Moscow have been heightened following Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine in 2022.
The SK announced the initiation of a criminal investigation, indicating that charges against the French citizen would be forthcoming. According to the SK, the detainee had been visiting Russia regularly for several years, engaging in meetings with Russian nationals.
The 19-second video released by the SK shows a man, whose face is blurred, being detained by Russian law enforcement officers, before being led away to an SK van.
The Frenchman is also accused of failing to submit documents needed for “inclusion in the register of foreign agents”.
Russia requires anyone who gets foreign support or is under the influence from abroad to declare themselves such an agent. It has used the 2012 law to squash any opposition inside the country to President Vladimir Putin, and also as a pretext to detain people, including foreigners.
Last year, Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was arrested on a similar charge.
The charge carries a jail term of up to five years.
