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France, Russia
DGSE's key role in securing Moscow's release of French researcher Laurent Vinatier

French researcher Laurent Vinatier (R), accused of violating Russia's foreign agent laws, is escorted to a court in Moscow, on 25 August 2025.
French researcher Laurent Vinatier (R), accused of violating Russia's foreign agent laws, is escorted to a court in Moscow, on 25 August 2025. © Tatyana Makeyeva/AFP
The head of France's foreign intelligence service, Nicolas Lerner, played a key role in securing Moscow's release of Laurent Vinatier, who was accused of espionage. Lawyer Frédéric Bélot also played a leading part in the exchange of the French researcher for a Russian national imprisoned in France. [...]
Reading time 2 minutes Pierre Gastineau, Franck Renaud
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