A Frenchman, Laurent Vinatier, working for a Swiss conflict mediation NGO, was arrested in Moscow on charges of breaching Russia’s “foreign agents” law, with potential jail time of up to five years.
Vinatier accepted the accusations and apologized during a court hearing where he was sent to jail until at least August 5. The charges allege that he gathered military information detrimental to Russia.
Vinatier, an advisor at the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, faces imprisonment if convicted. The arrest has drawn international attention, with concerns about his rights and fair trial.
‘Against the organization’
In a statement, the Swiss foreign ministry clarified that the NGO is funded by several states and does not receive support from Switzerland for its activities involving Russia. Vinatier’s lawyers advocated for house arrest, emphasizing his cooperation with investigators.
Russia’s use of broad “foreign agent” charges has been criticized for targeting activists and journalists. The case highlights tensions between Russia and Western countries, with several instances of foreign nationals being detained in Russia.