France demands the quick release of a French researcher who was imprisoned in Russia

France asked on Monday that French researcher Laurent Vinatier be freed right away after he was found guilty by a Moscow court of breaking Russia’s “foreign agent” rules and given a three-year prison sentence.

“The legislation on ‘foreign agents’ contributes to a systematic violation of fundamental freedoms in Russia, such as freedom of association, freedom of opinion and freedom of expression,” a statement from France’s foreign ministry said.

“French authorities remain fully mobilized to provide assistance (to Vinatier).”