French law enforcement authorities have arrested four men aged between 26 and 38 suspected of plotting to assassinate Vladimir Osechkin, a Russian human rights activist living in exile in Biarritz, France. Osechkin is the founder of Gulagu.net, an organization dedicated to exposing abuses in Russia’s prison system. The arrests were made following an investigation led by France’s counter-espionage and counterterrorism agencies.
According to the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, the suspects have been charged with participating in a terrorist association aiming to commit crimes against individuals, and they remain in custody. Some of the detainees are reportedly from the Russian republic of Dagestan. The investigation began after intelligence reports indicated a credible imminent threat against Osechkin.
Osechkin confirmed publicly that he was the intended target and expressed gratitude to French security forces for preventing the attack. The activist and his family have faced repeated threats since 2022 due to his activism exposing alleged torture and corruption inside the Russian penal system and highlighting Russia’s military tactics in Ukraine.
This incident underscores ongoing international concerns regarding the safety of dissidents and opponents of the Russian regime, even in exile.
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