Court: Trial of French researcher in Russia begins on September 3

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A French citizen accused of collecting Russian military intelligence without registering as a “foreign agent” will go on trial in Moscow on September 3, the court said on Monday.

Laurent Vinatier, who worked for a Swiss conflict mediation NGO before his arrest in Moscow in June, faces a prison sentence of up to five years if convicted.

France called on Russia to release Vinatier, saying he had been “arbitrarily arrested”.

According to investigators, 48-year-old Vinatier was collecting military intelligence that could be used by other states against Russia.

Under Russian law, anyone who collects or disseminates material about the Russian military or security services must register with the authorities as a “foreign agent.”

In previous court hearings, Vinatier had admitted violating Russian law and apologized.

Russia has used the “foreign agent” charge in the past to arrest people and then accuse them of more serious charges.

The law has been used more often to target Russians and domestic critics of the Kremlin than foreign citizens.

Vinatier is an advisor to the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and a researcher on Russia and other post-Soviet countries.

The center “works to prevent and resolve armed conflicts around the world through mediation and discreet diplomacy,” it says in a statement on its website.

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