Russian Prosecutor Seeks Prison For Alleged French Spy Accused of Seeking Military Secrets

MOSCOW (AP) – Prosecutors asked a Russian court on Monday to deliver a prison sentence of three years and three months to a French citizen arrested on charges of unlawfully collecting information on military issues.

Laurent Vinatier, who was arrested in Moscow in June, earlier admitted guilt, setting the stage for a fast-track trial without a detailed examination of evidence.

Detentions on charges of spying and collecting sensitive data have become increasingly frequent in Russia since it sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

Vinatier´s arrest came as tensions flared between Moscow and Paris following French President Emmanuel Macron´s comments about the possibility of deploying French troops in Ukraine.

Russian authorities accused Vinatier of failing to register as a “foreign agent” while collecting information about Russia´s “military and military-technical activities” that could be used to the detriment of the country´s security.