French Researcher Faces Reduced Sentence in Russia After Guilty Plea

Laurent Vinatier admits to violating Russia's 'foreign agent' laws, potentially reducing his prison term to just over three years.

Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher, pleaded guilty to charges of failing to register as a 'foreign agent' while collecting military information in Russia.
The Moscow district court agreed to consider Vinatier's case under a special regime, which guarantees a lighter sentence.
Vinatier's guilty plea could limit his sentence to a maximum of just over three years, down from the potential five-year term.
France has called Vinatier's detention arbitrary and demanded his immediate release, amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Paris.
The trial has been adjourned until October 14, when prosecutors will declare the sentence they seek.