France: Calls For Release Of French Researcher Jailed In Russia

France has called for the immediate release of French researcher Laurent Vinatier after he was found guilty by a Moscow court of breaking Russia’s “foreign agent” laws and sentenced to three years in prison.

“The legislation on ‘foreign agents’ contributes to a systematic violation of fundamental freedoms in Russia, such as freedom of association, freedom of opinion and freedom of expression,” France’s foreign ministry said.

“French authorities remain fully mobilised to provide assistance (to Vinatier).”

REUTERS/Christopher Ojilere