French political expert Laurent Vinatier, who was arrested in Moscow in early June, must remain in custody. By arresting foreigners, Russia exerts pressure on other states and repeatedly uses them as bargaining chips for the possible exchange of prisoners.
The researcher worked for the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HDC) in Switzerland and was arrested before the major international peace conference in Ukraine, which was held in Switzerland in mid-June. Russia, which has been waging its war of aggression against Ukraine for more than two years, was not invited to the meeting.
The Geneva-based NGO announced on June 7 that it would also contact Russian authorities to clarify the allegations against its employee. A Moscow court has rejected Vinatier’s appeal for arrest.
Not registered as a foreign agent
HD said that as an independent organization it held talks with officials, experts and other parties around the world with a view to resolving armed conflicts. On the other hand, the expert, who was born in France in 1976, is said to have admitted to collecting information that could be used by foreign secret services and thus harm Moscow’s security interests, according to Russia’s domestic intelligence agency FSB.
He was said to have failed to register as a so-called foreign agent while gathering information during several visits to Russia. He reportedly admitted to the charge in court. According to Russian criminal law, it carries a prison sentence of up to five years or hard labor.
Law against “foreign agents”
Russia’s law on so-called foreign agents requires organizations and individuals who are funded in whole or in part from abroad to register. In Russia’s increasingly repressive atmosphere, the law is used to stigmatize critics and limit their contacts in the country.
Source: Krone
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