French researchers sentenced for throwing explosives at Russian consulate in Marseille
PARIS — Two researchers employed at France's main state research agency were handed an eight-month sentence on Thursday for throwing explosives at the Russian consulate in the southern French city of Marseille.
The two scientists, who work at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, carried out their attack on Monday 24 February — the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The researchers threw three plastic bottles, which contained a homemade mixture, as well as a cocktail of nitrogen and other chemical substances at the gardens of the Russian consulate, reported Radio France.
Of the three bottles that were thrown, two exploded and caused detonations. While there was no damage or injuries, the Russian consulate's avenue was cordoned off for several hours to allow bomb disposal experts to intervene.
The researchers were arrested the same evening at a pro-Ukraine rally held outside the Marseille town hall. During their subsequent court hearing, they admitted to having taken liquid nitrogen with a temperature of -190C from their workplace laboratory.
According to French broadcaster TF1, public prosecutor Olivier Redon said that "the facts were not dangerous", and that he believed the researchers exercised caution "on purpose" acting as "honest individuals".
One of the researchers is a 59-year-old man who is married to a Ukrainian woman. TF1 reported that his father-in-law has been sleeping on the couple's sofa since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
While the researchers were handed eight-month prison sentences, the public prosecutor called for them to be able to serve them with electronic tags rather than in cells. The two are also banned from visiting the area surrounding the consulate and prohibited from carrying weapons for five years.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the incident had 'all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack'. — Euronews
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