France Detains Three Suspected Russian Spies

France has detained three people suspected of espionage and destabilizing activities carried out in Russia’s interests.

DW reported the arrests.

They were made as part of an investigation into the SOS Donbass association.

The three suspects – two men and one woman – are accused of spying and attempting to influence public opinion in France in favor of Russia.

One of the detainees, a 40-year-old Russian citizen named Vyacheslav P., is accused by the Paris prosecutor’s office of putting up pro-Russian posters on the Arc de Triomphe in September. He was identified using surveillance camera footage.

According to the investigation, after putting up the posters, P. called two other suspects, including 40-year-old Anna N., the head of the SOS Donbass association, who holds both Russian and French passports. She is accused of attempting to obtain information from representatives of the French economy.

The French intelligence service DGSI has been monitoring N. at least since the beginning of the year and suspects that she carried out “actions that could harm the fundamental interests of the country.”

It is reported that in March, an investigation was opened against her on suspicion of “espionage for a foreign state.” If found guilty, she faces up to 10 years in prison.

As for the third detainee, only that his name is Vincent P., that he is 63 years old, and that he lives near Paris is known, DW writes. Meanwhile, a fourth suspect, 58-year-old Bernard F., managed to avoid pre-trial detention. However, he remains under judicial supervision and must report to the police once a week, presenting identification.

The outlet notes that the SOS Donbass association, based in the Paris region, presents itself as a humanitarian organization that delivers aid to the eastern regions of Ukraine affected by the war with Russia. The association’s founder is Anna Novikova. The organization was established in September 2022.

DGSI, however, suspects that the association is actually engaged in espionage and activities aimed at destabilizing France.

In May, French intelligence released information about large-scale espionage and sabotage activities carried out by Russia against France.

The document mentions cyberattacks, espionage, sabotage, and attempts to influence political processes.