Russian Court Upholds Three-Year Sentence for French Researcher

A Russian court has upheld a three-year prison sentence for French researcher Laurent Vinatier, who was convicted for failing to register as a foreign agent. This decision comes amidst rising tensions between Russia and France, especially regarding the war in Ukraine. Vinatier, working for a Swiss NGO focused on conflict mediation, claimed he was unaware of the registration requirement, which has typically targeted Russian citizens. After the ruling, he expressed remorse in a video link from prison, stating that his work aimed to foster peace. France has condemned the sentence as arbitrary and demanded his immediate release, echoing concerns that Russia is using such laws to detain Westerners. The conviction reflects Russia's stringent enforcement of its foreign agent laws, which have been criticized for suppressing dissent.