Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher, has been sentenced to three years in prison by a Moscow court for violating Russia’s ‘foreign agent’ laws. The verdict comes amidst heightened tensions between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine. Vinatier, known for his research on the former Soviet Union, was arrested in June and accused of failing to register as a foreign agent while allegedly collecting military information. Despite his plea for a fine and his declaration of love for Russia, the judge opted for imprisonment. This incident has further strained relations between France and Russia.