A Moscow court has sentenced a French researcher to three years in a penal colony for violating Russia’s controversial “foreign agent” registration law.
Laurent Vinatier, who worked for a Swiss-based conflict resolution NGO, was arrested in June while collecting what prosecutors say was Russian military intelligence.
Speaking in court in Russian, Vinatier apologized, saying he did not know he should have registered. The 48-year-old, who had previously confessed to his crime, recited a verse by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.
Vinatier’s legal team’s decision to fine him instead of jail time was overturned by the presiding judge. The team said it will appeal the case.
France has not publicly commented on the decision of the Moscow court. President Emmanuel Macron previously wanted Vinatier released.
On Monday, Judge Natalia Cheprasova at the Zamoskvoretsky district court in Moscow said: “The court decided to find Vinatier guilty and sentenced him to three years in a regular state prison.”
Federal prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of three years and three months. They argued that the information gathered by Vinatier could have been used against Russia.
Speaking during the trial, Vinatier apologized for his actions and said he loves Russia. Dressed in a light blue shirt with an open neck and jeans, he showed no emotion as the sentence against him was read.
He concluded his remarks by reciting Pushkin’s poem – If Life Deceives You – about having the patience to know that better days are coming, AFP news agency reported.
After the court’s decision, Vinatier’s lawyer Pavel Mamonov told the media: “We are considering a harsh sentence and will appeal the case.”
Vinatier was working for the non-governmental organization Center for Humanitarian Dialogue when he was arrested. The NGO says its main mission is to “prevent and resolve armed conflicts around the world through dialogue and intelligent negotiation”.
Russia requires anyone receiving foreign support or influence from abroad to declare themselves a foreign agent.
The Kremlin used the 2012 law to suppress any opposition within the country to President Vladimir Putin, and as a reason to arrest people, including immigrants.
In the past, Russia was using a foreign citizen who was imprisoned in the country as a negotiation for the release of its citizens who were imprisoned abroad.
In August, Russia released US informant Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan and more than a dozen others in exchange for several Russian spies imprisoned in Western countries.
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