Paris demands the “immediate release” of Frenchman Laurent Vinatier and all persons “arbitrarily detained in Russia”

Not everything is settled yet. France has called on Moscow to immediately release those who are still “arbitrarily detained in Russia”Friday, August 2, the day after a historic exchange of 26 prisoners between Russian authorities and Western countries, including the United States and Germany. Paris is particularly referring to the case of a French researcher: Laurent Vinatier.

“Our thoughts are with those who remain arbitrarily detained in Russia, including our compatriot Laurent Vinatier. France calls for their immediate release.”said Christophe Lemoine, spokesman for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher specializing in the former USSR, collaborated with the Swiss NGO Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD). He was arrested on June 6, 2024 for failing to register with authorities as a“foreign agent”according to the Russian authorities, who accuse him of having “carried out targeted collection of information in the field of military and military-technical activities of the Russian Federation” able “be used against state security”He was remanded in custody until August 5.

“France shares the emotion of the families and allied governments” after the release of the political prisoners involved in the exchange, and “expresses his relief, particularly in view of the conditions of detention to which they were subjected and the risks that they posed to their health”added the spokesperson for the Quai d’Orsay.

Paris also made “tribute to the courage of the women and men who, in Russia as elsewhere, defend freedom of speech and opinion despite the risks incurred”. France has once again expressed its “indignation” following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison on 16 February 2024, under questionable circumstances, “for which the Russian authorities must be held accountable”.