Russia has released French researcher Laurent Vinatier after more than a year in prison. His release came through a prisoner swap with France, which freed Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin.
Vinatier, 49, had been jailed for failing to register as a “foreign agent.” Kasatkin, 26, had been imprisoned in France since last June at the request of the US over hacking allegations.
Context of the Exchange
This swap follows a series of recent prisoner exchanges between Russia and Western countries. In August 2024, Russia conducted its largest exchange since the Cold War, freeing 24 people.
Russia’s state-owned RIA news agency reported that President Vladimir Putin had pardoned Vinatier.
Background on Vinatier
Vinatier worked for a Switzerland-based non-profit focused on conflict mediation. Russian authorities arrested him while he gathered information they alleged related to the Russian military.
Russian law requires anyone receiving foreign support or influence to register as a foreign agent. During his trial, Vinatier apologized and pleaded guilty, claiming he did not realize he needed to register. He was sentenced to three years in prison. France called the ruling “extremely harsh” and demanded his immediate release.
Background on Kasatkin
US authorities accused Kasatkin of arranging payoffs for a ransomware ring that hacked around 900 companies. The basketball player denied the charges.
Russia has previously used detained foreign nationals as bargaining chips to secure the release of its citizens held abroad. During the August 2024 swap, Russia freed US reporter Evan Gershkovich, ex-US Marine Paul Whelan, and others in exchange for Russian spies detained in the West.
Tensions Between Russia and the West
Relations between Moscow and Western countries have been tense, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Two weeks ago, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had offered France a deal regarding Vinatier, leaving the decision in Paris’s hands.
