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Russia: the appeal trial of French Laurent Vinatier set for February 24

The appeal trial of the Frenchman Laurent Vinatier, sentenced last October to three years in prison for not having registered as“Agent from abroad”was set for February 24, Russian justice announced on Wednesday.

“The appeal of the conviction of French citizen Laurent Vinatier was received by the Moscow Municipal Court”said this judicial body on its official website. “The hearing was set for February 24, 2025” And will take place at 11:15 a.m. local time (9:15 a.m., in Paris), according to the same source.

Incarcerated since last June, this researcher specializing in post-Soviet space was employed on Russian soil by the center for humanitarian dialogue, a Swiss NGO which makes mediation in conflicts outside official diplomatic circuits. The Russian authorities accuse Mr. Vinatier, 48, of having failed in his obligation to register under the label of“Agent from abroad” even though he collected “Information in the field of military activities” being able to “Used against security” of Russia.

On October 14, the Zamoskvocian court of Moscow sentenced him to three years in prison. Laurent Vinatier's lawyers, who asked to sanction it by a simple fine, denounced a “Severe verdict” and immediately announced their intention to appeal.

Mr. Vinatier admitted that he had not registered as“Agent from abroad”a status created in Russia against critical votes and which imposes heavy administrative obligations, under penalty of criminal sanctions. He assured ignore that this obligation had been introduced into the penal code.

According to sources interviewed by the France-Presse agency, the Frenchman has been working for years on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, even before the Russian offensive in February 2022, as part of discreet diplomatic efforts in parallel to those States. Until his arrest, he made trips to both countries.

This case occurred at a time when relations between Moscow and Paris are very tense: Russia has been accused of a series of acts of destabilization and disinformation on French territory, while France is criticized for its support for Ukraine.

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Source: Lemonde

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