French Researcher Pleads Guilty in Russia’s 'Foreign Agent' Trial

Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher, pleaded guilty to breaking Russia's 'foreign agent' laws at his trial. He faces a lighter sentence under a special regime at the Moscow district court. Vinatier, who specializes in Russian and Central Asian studies, was charged with collecting military information without registering as a foreign agent. His trial occurs amid strained Moscow-Paris relations.

Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher, has pleaded guilty to violating Russia's 'foreign agent' laws, positioning himself for a reduced sentence, per Russian state media reports.

The Moscow district court hosting Vinatier's trial agreed to process the case under a special regime, promising a sentence no greater than two-thirds of the maximum five-year term, potentially limiting his punishment to just over three years.

Vinatier, an expert on Russia and Central Asia, was detained by the FSB in June and accused of not registering as a 'foreign agent' while gathering military information. He is considered arbitrarily detained by France, which demands his release as Franco-Russian relations sour.

(With inputs from agencies.)