Three people have been arrested in France on charges of espionage and influence peddling for Moscow. Authorities announced on Tuesday that the arrests were part of an investigation into the Franco-Russian association. Recently, fears in Europe of Russian espionage and influence have increased.
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, one of those arrested, Vyacheslav P., a 40-year-old Russian citizen, is accused of putting up pro-Russian posters at the Arc de Triomphe in the French capital in September. He was identified with the help of surveillance camera footage.
According to authorities, P. called another suspect after his crime: Anna N., a 40-year-old French and Russian citizen, who heads the SOS Donbass association. He was accused of trying to obtain information from French business representatives.
Authorities saw the alleged aid organization as a cover for espionage
France’s domestic intelligence agency, DGSI, has been monitoring N. since at least the beginning of this year and suspects “actions that could harm the country’s fundamental interests.” Since March, an investigation has been underway into allegations of “espionage for a foreign power,” an offense punishable by ten years in prison.
The third person arrested was Vincent P., 63, who was from the area around Paris. A fourth suspect, Bernard F., 58, managed to escape initial arrest. However, he was placed under strict court supervision and had to report to the police once a week and show his identity documents.
The SOS Donbass association presents itself as a humanitarian aid organization that collects donations for aid convoys for the civilian population in the war-torn region of eastern Ukraine. However, DGSI suspects that this is a cover for espionage and destabilization carried out by Russia.
