The person allegedly did not register as a ‘overseas agent’ below a Russian legislation that carries a number of years’ jail time for offenders.
Russian authorities say they’ve arrested a French nationwide on suspicion of espionage offences.
As reported by state-owned information company TASS, the Russian Investigative Committee says it has launched a prison case in opposition to the unnamed man, who allegedly “did not register himself as a overseas agent in compliance with Russian laws” and “has been gathering info on Russia’s navy and military-technical actions”.
“This info, when obtained by overseas sources, can be utilized in opposition to the safety of the state,” the committee mentioned in an announcement. “For these functions, he repeatedly visited the territory of Russia, together with the town of Moscow, the place he held conferences with residents of the Russian Federation.”
If convicted, he faces a sentence of as much as 5 years’ imprisonment.
Investigators have launched video purporting to indicate the unidentified man at a Moscow restaurant.
Numerous westerners have been arrested by Russian authorities lately, in some instances leading to severe diplomatic tensions and public outcry.
Amongst these nonetheless in custody is Wall Avenue Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in spring 2023 for supposedly conducting espionage on behalf of the US authorities.
