France calls for immediate release of French researcher jailed in Russia

French researcher Laurent Vinatier, who is suspected of illegally collecting sensitive Russian military information, stands inside an enclosure for defendants during a court hearing in Moscow, Russia October 14, 2024. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

PARIS (Reuters) - France called on Monday 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 in a statement.