Moscow said it had detained a French citizen on suspicion of gathering intelligence on Russian military activities and failing to register as a 'foreign agent'.
“If such information is obtained from foreign sources, it could be used against national security,” Russia’s Investigative Committee (SK) said.
They also posted a video showing the arrest of an unnamed male suspect in a Moscow cafe.
A Switzerland-based NGO later said its adviser, Laurent Vinatier, was detained in the Russian capital.
“We are aware that Laurent Vinatier, an advisor to the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), has been detained in Russia,” a spokesperson for the non-governmental organization told AFP.
“We are working to learn more about the situation and secure Laurent’s release,” he added.
The NGO says its main activity is “preventing and resolving armed conflicts around the world through mediation and prudent diplomacy.”
France had no immediate comment on the matter. Relations between Paris and Moscow are strained due to a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
SK said in a statement on Thursday that a criminal case had been opened and the suspect would be charged “at the earliest possible date.”
The Frenchman said he has visited Russia repeatedly over the years and met with Russian citizens.
The 19-second video released by SK shows a man with a blurred face being taken into an SK van after being detained by Russian law enforcement officers.
The Frenchman was also accused of failing to submit the required documents for “registration in the register of foreign agents.”
Russia requires anyone receiving foreign support or influence from abroad to declare that they are such an agent. North Korea used the 2012 law as a pretext to suppress opposition to President Vladimir Putin at home and detain people, including foreigners.
Last year, Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was arrested on similar charges.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
