A Moscow court has sentenced French researcher Laurent Vinatier to three years in prison for violating Russia’s stringent laws on “foreign agents.”
The ruling was handed down on Monday at the Zamoskvoretsky District Court, following Vinatier’s arrest in June while working for a Swiss conflict mediation NGO.
Vinatier, 48, was charged with gathering information on Russia’s military without being registered as a “foreign agent,” a legal infraction that can lead to a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
During the proceedings, a state prosecutor argued for a sentence of three years and three months in a penal colony, highlighting the perceived security risks posed by Vinatier’s actions.
As the verdict was announced, Vinatier sat quietly, his head bowed in apparent resignation. He acknowledged his guilt during his final statement, asserting, “I agree with the charge fully. I fully admit guilt,” and even quoted Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. Vinatier asked the court for leniency, expressing remorse for his unintentional violation of Russian law.
Judge Natalya Cheprasova ultimately ruled to impose a sentence of three years in prison, as prosecutors cited significant threats to national security stemming from Vinatier’s alleged activities. Despite his admission of guilt and expressed regret, the court deemed a custodial sentence necessary.
Vinatier’s defense attorney, Oleg Bessonov, criticized the prosecution’s request as “extremely harsh,” arguing that his client had committed no prior offenses in Russia.
Bessonov urged the judge to consider a fine instead of imprisonment, emphasizing that Vinatier was unaware of the requirement to register as a “foreign agent.”
The case against Vinatier underscores the broader implications of Russia’s “foreign agent” legislation, which has increasingly been used to target critics of the Kremlin.
Originally implemented in 2012, the law was expanded in 2022 to encompass foreign nationals gathering military information that could potentially threaten national security. This expansion has resulted in heightened scrutiny of researchers and activists operating in Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly condemned the charges against Vinatier, characterizing them as “propaganda” and asserting that they “do not match reality.”
Macron has called for the immediate release of the French researcher, reinforcing diplomatic tensions between France and Russia amid the ongoing geopolitical climate.
Despite not being charged with espionage, Vinatier’s case highlights the risks faced by foreign nationals engaged in research and humanitarian work in Russia.
As an adviser with the Geneva-based Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, Vinatier was dedicated to mediating and resolving conflicts through diplomacy.
His sentencing raises concerns about the future of international cooperation and research in Russia, particularly under laws perceived as punitive and politically motivated.
As the international community watches closely, the outcome of Vinatier’s case may have lasting implications for foreign researchers and non-governmental organizations operating in Russia, where the legal landscape continues to evolve in a manner that restricts freedoms and punishes perceived dissent.