Four people have been charged in Paris over suspected Russia-linked espionage and interference, in a case that ties economic intelligence gathering to pro-Russia posters placed on the Arc de Triomphe. Prosecutors said three suspects have been detained and a fourth placed under strict judicial supervision.
The inquiry centres on SOS Donbass, officially Sud-Ouest Solidarité Donbass, which presents itself as a humanitarian organisation. Prosecutors said the group is suspected of serving as a cover for covert activity.
Investigators first turned to Anna M, a 40-year-old dual national who founded the association.
Domestic intelligence services identified actions they said could harm France’s fundamental interests. An investigation was opened on 13 March after she was suspected of approaching senior staff at French companies to obtain economic information.
Investigators later linked the probe to pro-Russia posters placed on the Arc de Triomphe.
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Poster incident
Early in September, CCTV cameras recorded a man pasting pro-Russia posters on the monument. Prosecutors identified him as Vyacheslav P, a 40-year-old Russian national.
Telephone analysis showed he reported the move to Anna M, linking the two parts of the case.
Both were charged in November. Anna M faces accusations including complicity in damaging a classified monument for the benefit of a foreign power, taking part in a criminal association to prepare a crime, gathering information on national interests for a foreign state and intelligence with a foreign power.
She has been placed in pre-trial detention.
Vyacheslav P was detained on charges including damaging a classified site for the benefit of a foreign power and participating in a criminal association.
A third suspect, Vincent P, a 63-year-old man born in Seine-Saint-Denis, was also charged and held in custody. Prosecutors say he is suspected of taking part in a criminal association, gathering information on national interests for a foreign state, and intelligence with a foreign power.
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More suspects
The fourth man, 58-year-old Bernard F, born in Paris, has been charged with intelligence with a foreign power and participation in a criminal association to prepare offences punishable by 10 years in prison.
He has not been detained but must report weekly to police, surrender his identity papers and refrain from all association work linked to French or Russian international policy or aid related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
SOS Donbass was registered in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in southwest France in September 2022. It describes itself as a group organising aid convoys for civilians in eastern Ukraine.
Investigators said they suspect the association served as a cover for spying. Its website also offers printable posters with the slogan "Russia is not my enemy".
(with newswires)
