Prosecutors in Russia have requested a prison sentence of three years and three months for a French citizen, Laurent Vinatier, who was arrested in Moscow in June on charges of unlawfully collecting information on military issues. Vinatier had admitted guilt, leading to a fast-track trial without a detailed examination of evidence.
Detentions related to spying and collecting sensitive data have been on the rise in Russia since the country's military intervention in Ukraine in February 2022. Vinatier's arrest occurred amidst escalating tensions between Moscow and Paris following remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the potential deployment of French troops in Ukraine.
