French citizen arrested in Russia on charges of gathering sensitive information about military activities

MOSCOW

A French citizen was arrested in the capital Moscow on charges of gathering sensitive information about military activities, Russia’s Investigative Committee announced on Thursday.

The committee said in a statement that Laurent Vinatier, a French national in his late forties, has been purposefully collecting information which could be used to undermine Russia's security.

"Thanks to well-planned and well-conducted operational search activities, the suspect was detained and taken to the department of the capital's Investigative Committee for investigative actions. In the near future, he will be charged and preventive measures will be chosen," it said.

The committee noted that it had opened a criminal case against Vinatier.