Russia and France exchange academic and athlete in prisoner swap
Jan 09, 2026
Paris [France], January 9: A French political scientist serving a prison sentence in Russia was freed by Moscow on Thursday as part of a prisoner swap with Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron said that Laurent Vinatier, who had been accused by Russia of espionage, has returned to France.
Russia's domestic security service said Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin was released from jail in France and has flown back to Russia. Vinatier, a Central Asia specialist, had been working in Russia for the Swiss non-governmental organization Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, which focuses on conflict resolution.
He was arrested in 2024 and convicted of violating regulations governing so-called "foreign agents." (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
