French Citizen Detained Two Months After Illegal Paddleboard Crossing From Estonia Into Russia

A French citizen was detained by Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) border guards after illegally crossing the Russian border from Estonia on a paddle board near the Narva reservoir, a recognized border point. The man expressed a desire to settle in Russia and reportedly has a history of psychiatric treatment. He has been placed in detention for two months by a court in Russia's Leningrad region. Attempts to contact the man or his legal representatives have been unsuccessful. This incident coincides with increased regional tensions and warnings from Latvian intelligence about potential Russian saboteurs disguised as tourists or hikers in neighboring countries. The intelligence agency cautioned the public to be vigilant about suspicious individuals exhibiting unusual behavior or carrying specialized equipment, amid a series of unexplained incidents attributed to Russia, which denies involvement.