More than three years in prison demanded for Laurent Vinatier in Russia
Published: Monday, Oct 14th 2024, 14:50
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The Russian judiciary has demanded a prison sentence of three years and three months for the Frenchman Laurent Vinatier. The employee of the Geneva Center for Humanitarian Dialogue is accused of failing to register as a "foreign agent".
"The prosecution demands that the accused be found guilty (...) I propose that a prison sentence of three years and three months be imposed, to be served in a penal colony," the prosecutor said in a courtroom in Moscow. Vinatier was arrested in Russia at the beginning of June.
The now 48-year-old academic, who specializes in the post-Soviet region, worked in Russia for the Geneva Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre). The non-governmental organization mediates in conflicts outside of official diplomatic channels and accompanies peace dialogues in numerous countries.
With regard to Ukraine, the institution had initiated the scenario of an agreement on Ukrainian grain exports and Russian fertilizers, which was finalized by the United Nations in order to enable the transport of food, especially to Africa, again.
Moscow has long been taking action against representatives of Western non-governmental organizations that are regarded as "foreign agents". Among other things, the Russian government recently banned the organization Doctors Without Borders from working in Russia in mid-September. This organization also has its headquarters in Switzerland.
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