Latest news with #FrenchCitizen
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Russia detains tourist who entered country on paddle board
A French citizen who illegally crossed the Russian border on a paddle board from Estonia has been put in detention for two months, a court in Russia 's northern Leningrad region said. The man, who paddled from Estonia, was detained on the shore of the Narva reservoir - through which the Russian-Estonian border runs - by Federal Security Service (FSB) border guards. According to the Leningrad court, the French man said he wanted to settle in Russia. The court said the man said he had previously undergone psychiatric treatment. Reuters was unable to contact the man or his lawyers. Earlier this month, Latvia 's intelligence agency issued a public warning about potential Russian saboteurs and spies operating within the country, disguised as tourists or hikers. The Defence Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD) released a list of characteristics in its annual report, urging citizens to be vigilant amid heightened regional tensions and a series of unexplained incidents. The MIDD describes these individuals as potentially appearing unkempt, carrying excessive gear, or sporting military haircuts and survival equipment while demonstrating a lack of outdoor skills. They might ask unusual questions of locals, loiter near sensitive sites like military bases or infrastructure, or pose as humanitarian workers. Their presence in remote areas without any apparent interest in nature could also be a red flag. The agency further advises the public to be wary of individuals carrying specialized medical kits, maps, or radios – items more commonly associated with clandestine operations than recreational activities. This warning comes against a backdrop of increased regional tensions and several incidents of arson and sabotage that Western governments attribute to Russia, though Moscow denies involvement.
Al Arabiya
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Russia detains French man who entered country on a paddle board
A French citizen who illegally crossed the Russian border on a paddle board from Estonia has been placed in detention for two months, a court in Russia's northern Leningrad region said. The man, who paddled from Estonia, was detained on the shore of the Narva reservoir - through which the Russian-Estonian border runs - by Federal Security Service (FSB) border guards.
Reuters
28-05-2025
- General
- Reuters
Russia detains French man who entered country on a paddle board
MOSCOW, May 28 (Reuters) - A French citizen who illegally crossed the Russian border on a paddle board from Estonia has been placed in detention for two months, a court in Russia's northern Leningrad region said. The man, who paddled from Estonia, was detained on the shore of the Narva reservoir - through which the Russian-Estonian border runs - by Federal Security Service (FSB) border guards. According to the Leningrad court, the French man said he wanted to settle in Russia. The court said the man said he had previously undergone psychiatric treatment. Reuters was unable to contact the man or his lawyers.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Major development after Aussie claimed he was scammed out of $6.2million in 'dodgy Bali land deal' and banned from the country
An Australian influencer who claims he lost $6.2million in a 'dodgy land deal' in Bali before he was banned from the country says he has been allowed back in. Julian Petroulas, 32, said he had purchased the leasehold rights to 1.1 hectares of land in Canggu from a French citizen. His prized plot was challenged last year by locals who claimed his property had never belonged to the previous vendor. Mr Petroulas sued the European national, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claiming he was the victim of a criminal conspiracy perpetrated by the seller. The 32-year-old had his visa cancelled and was blocked from re-entering Indonesia following the fallout. Mr Petroulas has since told his lawyers have appealed the ban with officials allowing him back into Indonesia. The Aussie millionaire claimed military officials and Indonesia's media played a part in his downfall. 'After making multiple attempts to try to resolve things peacefully, the seller continued to try to complicate and escalate the situation,' he claimed. 'Eventually, I reached breaking point and involved my lawyers. [But] 48 hours after filing this lawsuit, dozens of negative articles and videos appeared online. 'These were allegedly orchestrated by the individual I sued.' Mr Petroulas made public a copy of a document allegedly drafted by the European vendor's lawyers and provided to Indonesia's Ministry of Immigration. Mr Petroulas said the document detailed 'alleged immigration violations allegedly committed by an individual of the name of Julian Petroulas in the Bali region'. He also shared a WhatsApp exchange he allegedly had with an Indonesian army officer, offering a favourable verdict at Mr Petroulas' upcoming trial for AU$750,000. 'I am someone who knows the details of your problem with [the seller],' one message read. The sender declined to reveal his name but claimed he was a high-ranking officer in the Indonesian army [with] many connections within the government, police, the court, etc,' according to images published by 'Your lawyer will not be able to win your lawsuit, and I also know [his] team of lawyers are working behind the scene[s], and they [are] really work[ing] hard to defeat your lawsuit,' he wrote. Mr Petroulas, his lawyers, and local police set a trap, offering the man AU$942 to get the process in motion. The secretive official's bank account appeared to match the name of a high-ranking Indonesian Colonel. The official in question has since denied he was behind the messages. Mr Petroulas alleged the military had organised media stories and the civil suit where [the European] was guaranteed to win. He alleged the judge had already been paid, making the suit a bidding war rather than a fair judicial process. 'I just want to expose this guy as he has done a lot of evil stuff to me, and it stems from a land deal. This is not about the land or the money, I don't care about that,' he said. A well-placed builder, who asked to remain anonymous, alleged the European had a history of swindling investors on the island. Police in Bali are now investigating a text message asking Mr Petroulas to pay for a courtroom. The message has also been sent to the office of President Prabowo Subianto with a request for action against the officials accused of being involved. However, insiders are sceptical the case will receive any attention at a presidential level. Mr Petroulas made his fortune by founding Sydney talent firm Over Agency eight years ago. His Indonesian assets also include a multi-storey mansion with an outdoor cinema and his Instagram famous restaurant Penny Lane. Mr Petroulas shares glamourous shots of a life spent in and out of luxury jets, shiny sports cars, and coveted parcels of real estate worldwide. 'How I made MILLIONS of dollars in Bali,' he titled one YouTube video, showing off his multi-level mansion and restaurant Penny Lane. Mr Petroulas displayed the complex in the video, saying, 'it's f***ing nuts how big this is; everything you can see pretty much from the start of this street until the very end of this river is land that I have bought'.
