Contacted by AFP, Laurent Vinatier’s French lawyer indicated that the investigator’s family hopes that he “can be released during the end-of-year festivities, until Orthodox Christmas, celebrated on January 7th.
Russia presented a proposal to France regarding French political scientist Laurent Vinatier, who is serving three years in prison in that eastern country and faces a new accusation of espionage, the Kremlin spokesman assured this Thursday.
“There were appropriate contacts between our side and the French. In effect, a proposal was made to the French regarding Vinatier,” said Dmitri Peskov, during his daily press conference, in which Agence France-Presse (AFP) participated.
The spokesperson added that “the ball is now in France’s court”refusing to give further details about the proposal, as it is “a very sensitive matter”.
Contacted by AFP, Laurent Vinatier’s French lawyer indicated that the investigator’s family hopes that he “can be released during the end-of-year festivities, until Orthodox Christmas, celebrated on January 7th.
According to Frédéric Belot, a prisoner exchange is possible, although it is necessary “extreme caution.”
“We have every confidence in French diplomacy”, he stressed.
Questioned by AFP, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment.
The announcement of a proposal in relation to Laurent Vinatier, described by AFP as surprising, comes after Moscow and Paris recently expressed public interest in a direct meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron, despite the deterioration of relations between the two countries.
On February 24, 2025, a Moscow court of appeal upheld a three-year sentence for Laurent Vinatier for failing to register as a “foreign agent” when he collected “information in the field of military activities” that could be “used against the security” of Russia.
The 48-year-old political scientist specializing in the post-Soviet space had been hired in Russia by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, a Swiss non-governmental organization (NGO) that mediates conflicts outside official diplomatic channels, and has been detained since June 2024.
The Frenchman had been working on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine for years, including before the Russian invasion of February 24, 2022, and, until he was detained, he had traveled to both countries.
In court, he admitted the facts, but pleaded ignorance and apologized, hoping to obtain leniency.
Russia has used the “foreign agent” status for years to crack down on critics, but this is the first time a foreigner has been convicted on this charge.
According to AFP, the investigation into Laurent Vinatier has been prolonged and the political scientist could face a new trial for espionage, risking an increase in the three-year sentence he was sentenced to.
