French investigator Laurent Vinatier, already sentenced to three years in prison in Russia, will be presented this Monday, August 25, before a court in Moscow for accusations of “espionage”, which suggests an extension of his sentence.
The hearing in this new case must take place in the Chamber and refers to an investigation for the “espionage” launched against Laurent Vinatier, confirmed Anastassia Pychkina, spokesman for the Lefortovo court.
Up to 20 years in prison
The Chief of Espionage is responsible, in Russia, for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. “A hearing was scheduled for August 25, 2025 at 2:30 pm,” said a legal document that AFP was able to consult.
Laurent Vinatier, who worked for an NGO of Swiss mediation in conflicts, is part of a group of western people arrested in Russia, while diplomatic tensions intensified around Ukraine.
Paris demands its launch
Paris demanded from Moscow the launch of his national, accusing Russia of bringing Westerners as hostages. He was convicted of having collected information about the Russian army and having violated the law on “foreign agents” because it had not registered as such.
Laurent Vinatier, who worked as an advisor to the Humanitarian Dialogue Center, based in Geneva, is an experienced researcher in Russia and other postsoviet countries. He declared before the Court that in his work, he had always struggled to “present the interests of Russia in international relations.”
Source: BFM TV
