French scientists in court over attack on Russian consulate
Two French scientists are due in court after throwing improvised explosive devices at the Russian consulate in Marseille on February 24th, reportedly motivated by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, reported RFI on February 27th.
Prosecutors said on February 26th that two employees of France’s main state CNRS research agency admitted to throwing the devices at the consulate, saying they acted because of the war.
Three plastic bottles were thrown into the consulate gardens on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24th. The bottles, two of which exploded, had nitrogen and other chemical substances in them. No injuries or damage were reported.
One of the researchers is an engineer while the other a chemist, and both are to appear before a judge on February 27th.
Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone says the two “have justified their action in the context of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine”.
The two have been charged with damaging property “by a means dangerous to persons” and “unauthorised manufacture of explosive or incendiary devices,” he added.
The CNRS conducts research in several scientific fields and has over 1,100 laboratories across France. It has over 33,000 employees including researchers from the former Soviet Union.
Russia termed the incident a “terrorist attack”, while France condemned “any infringement of the security of diplomatic compounds”.
La Provence, a regional newspaper, reported that the two men were identified during a pro-Ukraine protest at Marseille town hall on the day of the attack.
Russia’s embassy in Paris said it had asked French authorities before the attack to boost security near Russian diplomatic missions “in view of possible provocations”. “Nevertheless, such attacks occurred,” stated the embassy.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said on February 25th that it had launched its own investigation and was preparing “an international request for legal assistance”.
RFI, La Provence
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