Detentions on charges of spying and collecting sensitive data have become increasingly frequent in Russia since it sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Russian authorities accused Vinatier of failing to register as a “foreign agent” while collecting information about Russia’s “military and military-technical activities” that could be used to the detriment of the country’s security. The prosecutors charged that Vinatier had collected military information during his meetings with three Russian citizens in Moscow in 2021-2022. Vinatier’s lawyers argued that the sentence sought by prosecutors was too harsh and asked the judge to sentence him to a fine. The charges against Vinatier relate to a law that requires anyone collecting information on military issues to register with authorities as a foreign agent.

Source: ABC News October 14, 2024 13:23 UTC