Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“A court in Moscow has sentenced a French researcher to three years in a penal colony for breaking Russia’s controversial law on registering as a ‘foreign agent.’ Laurent Vinatier, who worked for a Switzerland-based conflict mediation NGO, was arrested in June while gathering what prosecutors say was information on Russia’s military. Speaking in the courtroom in Russian, Vinatier apologised, saying he was unaware he should have registered. The 48-year-old, who had earlier admitted his guilt, recited a verse by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. A plea by Vinatier’s defence team for him to be fined instead of facing a jail term was dismissed by the presiding judge. The team said he would appeal. France has not publicly commented on the Moscow court’s verdict. President Emmanuel Macron had earlier demanded Vinatier’s release.” (10/14/24)