Laurent Vinatier is a political prisoner
A French citizen has been sentenced to three years in a penal colony for research work conducted without registration as a ‘foreign agent’
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Laurent Vinatier a political prisoner. Vinatier has been convicted on a charge of failing to comply with the obligation to register as a ‘foreign agent’ for meetings with Russian experts. Vinatier’s prosecution and conviction have violated his rights to freedom of expression, freedom of information, and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Laurent Vinatier and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
Who is Laurent Vinatier and what were the charges against him?
Laurent Vinatier, 48, is a French political scientist who authored books on the war in Chechnya and the development of authoritarianism in Russia. He is also an expert at the Swiss Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.
On 6 June 2024, Vinatier was arrested in Moscow and remanded in custody on a charge of failing to submit documents for inclusion in the register of ‘foreign agents’ (Article 330.1, Part 3 of the Russian Criminal Code). According to the charge, in 2021 and 2022, Vinatier met with three Russians and gathered information on ‘mobilisation and military training’ and the political situation in Russia. On 14 October 2024, a court in Moscow sentenced Vinatier to three years in a general-regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Vinatier a political prisoner?
Vinatier’s conviction for failing to submit documents for him to be included in the ‘foreign agents’ register is the second case after that of Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist working for Radio Svoboda. This law effectively serves as an indirect ban on gathering any information concerning military affairs, or related matters, even of a non-confidential or unclassified nature.
In violation of rights guaranteed by the Russian Constitution and international conventions, the law provides for criminal prosecution simply for failing to file a declaration about activities that are not themselves illegal. We concur with the assessment of the President of France who considers that Vinatier’s prosecution and conviction are part of the ongoing confrontation between the Kremlin and the West. There are strong grounds to suspect that the Russian authorities have taken Vinatier hostage with the intention of using him as leverage for future exchanges with Russian agents jailed in the West.
A more detailed description of Laurent Vinatier’s case and of our position is available on our website.
Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
