Russia releases French political scientist in exchange for basketball player in custody in France
French researcher Laurent Vinatier attends court in Moscow, Russia, 14 October 2024. Photo: EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV Russia has freed a French political scientist serving a three-year prison sentence for violating Moscow’s foreign agent laws in exchange for a Russian basketball player in custody in France, TASS reported on Thursday, quoting the Federal Security Service. Laurent Vinatier, 49, was pardoned by Vladimir Putin, according to state-owned news agency RIA Novosti.