French Researcher Laurent Vinatier Released in Russias High-Stakes Prisoner Swap

Russia announced on Thursday that it had released French researcher Laurent Vinatier in a prisoner swap, over 18 months after his arrest, which was prompted by allegations of breaching «foreign agent» laws that France has condemned as repugnant.

Vinatier was exchanged for Daniil Kasatkin, a 26-year-old basketball player who was detained by French authorities last June on hacking accusations from the U.S., according to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

«Our compatriot Laurent Vinatier is free and back in France,» President Emmanuel Macron posted on X. «I share the joy of his family and loved ones.»

Vinatier was taken into custody in Russia in June 2024 while attempting to gather what prosecutors claimed was information related to Russian military activities.

He subsequently received a three-year sentence for not registering as a «foreign agent» and faced additional espionage charges that carried a potential 20-year prison sentence.

Last month, the Kremlin disclosed that it had proposed a deal to France regarding Vinatier, who was employed by a Swiss NGO focused on conflict mediation at the time of his arrest, raising hopes for his release.

Russian state media aired a video of Vinatier, smiling as he walked out of prison while dressed in black and carrying a large black duffel bag. He was later seen boarding a flight.

A diplomatic source informed AFP that he arrived in Paris on Thursday.

The FSB indicated that Vinatier had been «pardoned» following a presidential decree.

Western nations have long criticized Russia for detaining their citizens to leverage them for the release of accused Russian spies and cybercriminals imprisoned in Europe and the U.S.

Kasatkin, who was part of the deal, was apprehended last year at a Paris airport on the U.S. request.

He faced allegations of involvement in a ransomware hacking syndicate, which he has denied.

A video released by the FSB later showed Kasatkin arriving in Russia and getting into a minibus.

Relations between France and Russia have significantly worsened since the onset of the war in Ukraine.

Moscow has largely attributed the blame for the conflict to Paris and other European capitals, while France contends that Russia bears sole responsibility for the war and could terminate it at any time.

Vinatier, an expert on Russia and the former Soviet Union, authored over a dozen academic works and previously worked with NATO and the European Parliament, according to his CV.

At the time of his detainment, he was affiliated with the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, a Swiss NGO that facilitates conflict mediation outside of official diplomatic frameworks, with a focus on issues related to Ukraine.

During his trial, Vinatier accepted responsibility and requested leniency, quoting Russia’s national poet, Alexander Pushkin.

A lawyer representing Vinatier’s family hailed his release on Thursday as a tremendous relief.

«We are extremely pleased that he has been freed in time for Orthodox Christmas,» said Frederic Belot, who also represents the basketball player, to AFP.