French Citizen Arrested in Russia: Accused of Spying and Working for Conflict Mediation Organisation
Russian authorities have arrested a French citizen, identified as Laurent Vinatier, who was working for a Geneva-based conflict mediation organization. Vinatier, 47, was accused of gathering information about the military and military-technical activities of the Russian Federation without registering as a foreign agent. The nonprofit Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), where Vinatier worked as an adviser on Russia and Eurasia, stated that they are working to secure his release. French President Emmanuel Macron denied that Vinatier worked for the French state and criticized Moscow's actions as part of a disinformation campaign. The arrest of Vinatier is part of a broader crackdown in Russia on individuals linked to foreign organizations or accused of espionage. Notably, Evan Gershkovich, a journalist with the Wall Street Journal, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva are also facing similar charges and awaiting trial. Vinatier, a PhD holder focusing on the Chechen diaspora, has been involved in academia and writing on international relations in Russia and Central Asia. His arrest coincided with France hosting Western leaders for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, where Russia was not present due to the conflict in Ukraine. Tensions between Paris and Moscow have escalated, with Macron discussing potential French involvement in Ukraine, prompting warnings from Russia. The situation highlights the complex diplomatic relations and the ongoing security concerns in the region.
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