Plot to Assassinate Russian Dissident Vladimir Ossetchkine Foiled in France

French authorities have arrested four men suspected of plotting to assassinate Vladimir Ossetchkine, a prominent Russian dissident and whistleblower residing in Biarritz, France. The arrests followed an investigation initiated on September 19 by French intelligence agency DGSI, with the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) leading the case. The suspects, aged between 26 and 38 and including French and Russian nationals, were detained in the Paris region and Loire-Atlantique.

Ossetchkine, founder of Gulagu.net, an organization dedicated to revealing torture in Russian prisons, has been under police protection since 2022 due to previous assassination attempts. According to reports, the suspects had conducted surveillance of Ossetchkine’s residence in Biarritz, including filming the area and discussing their plans. Authorities believe the plot may have been orchestrated by Russian intelligence services, specifically the FSB and GRU, though the suspects denied knowledge of the mission’s origins during questioning.

The suspects face charges relating to participation in a terrorist criminal organization preparing crimes against individuals, with the PNAT seeking their indictment and provisional detention. The security services continue to investigate the extent of foreign intelligence involvement. Despite Ossetchkine’s activism and exposure of Kremlin abuses, he remains a controversial figure with some questioning his past business dealings and credibility.

“This investigation highlights the ongoing threats faced by Russian opposition figures abroad,” stated reports covering the case. The thwarted assassination emphasizes the risks confronted by political refugees in France and the vigilance of French security authorities in protecting them.

Currently, the four men remain in custody as judicial proceedings advance, with French counterterrorism units closely monitoring the situation to prevent further threats against dissidents residing in the country.