A French researcher suspected of espionage was arrested in Moscow, Russian authorities announce

A Frenchman suspected of espionage was arrested in Russia, the Russian investigative committee announced Thursday June 6 on Telegram. This researcher is suspected of having collected military information. The Russian Federal Investigative Committee published a video in which a man, sitting on the terrace of a cafe, is arrested by law enforcement officers. His face is blurred. The authorities explain that a criminal case has been opened against this Frenchman for violating a Russian law on foreign agents.

“This information can be used against state security. For these purposes, [ce Français] visited Russian territory on several occasions, including Moscow, where he met with citizens of the Russian Federation”, explains the Russian Investigative Committee on Telegram. “The person involved was arrested and taken to the Capital Investigative Committee Department for investigative measures”continue the authorities on Telegram.

Laurent Vinatier works as an advisor for Humanitarian Dialogue, an NGO based in Geneva. “We are working to obtain more information about the circumstances”, writes the organization in a press release retrieved by franceinfo. LThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contacted by franceinfo, did not immediately comment.