France Urges Immediate Release of Researcher Amid Prisoner Exchange

France has called for the release of French researcher Laurent Vinatier, detained in Russia for failing to register as a foreign agent. This call comes after a significant prisoner exchange between Russia and the West, including U.S. citizens. Vinatier's pre-trial detention was recently extended until September 5.

France is urging Russia to immediately release French researcher Laurent Vinatier, who is currently in detention in Russia. Vinatier pleaded guilty in June to charges of failing to register as a foreign agent while gathering information on the Russian military, risking up to five years in prison.

A Russian court recently extended his pre-trial detention until September 5. In a statement, the French foreign ministry said, "Our thoughts are with those people who remain held in custody arbitrarily in Russia, most notably our compatriot Laurent Vinatier. France calls for their immediate release."

This plea coincides with a major prisoner exchange on Thursday, where U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan were among three U.S. citizens released from Russian detention, marking the largest exchange between the two nations since the Cold War.

(With inputs from agencies.)