President Macron demands Russia release French citizen accused of collecting military intelligence

According to RIA Novosti on June 8, French President Emmanuel Macron called on Russia to release “as quickly as possible” French citizen Laurent Vinatier, who is accused of collecting information about Russia's military activities.

“We call on Russia to clarify all the circumstances and release him as quickly as possible,” President Emmanuel Macron said at a press conference with President Vladimir Zelensky on June 7, an event broadcast by the Elysee Palace.

On June 7, the Zamoskvoretsky District Court in Moscow arrested a French citizen named Vinatier. A case was opened under Article 330.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, on charges of violating the law on foreign agents.

"A French citizen suspected of collecting information on Russian military activities has been detained in Moscow. If obtained by outsiders, they could use this information to target Russia's national security," Russia's Investigative Committee announced on June 7.

The Telegram account of the Russian Investigative Committee released a short video showing a man wearing jeans and a black T-shirt being escorted by security forces into a car and then taken into the agency's building in Moscow. The suspect's face is blurred.

According to the investigation, for many years, Laurent Vinatier, without registering and submitting the necessary documents, deliberately collected information “in the field of military and military-technical activities of the Russian Federation”. If convicted, the suspect could face a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.