France demanded the release of historian Yuri Dmitriyev

“Along with its partners in the European Union, France is calling for the immediate release of Yuri Dmitriyev”, - the French embassy in Moscow said in a statement.

The diplomatic mission noted that Dmitriev is a historian and human rights activist, known for his research on burials of the Stalinist period.

"Where academic freedom is threatened, democracy and peace are in jeopardy. That is why researchers should be able to work freely", - diplomats point out.

Let us recall that on July 22, Dmitirev was sentenced to three and a half years in prison on charges of making child pornography with a photo of his adopted daughter, of sexual abuse of her and illegal storage of parts of a hunting rifle. The historian admitted guilt only in the latter.

At the same time, earlier, on April 5, 2018, the Petrozavodsk City Court fully acquitted Dmitriyev under the article on the production of child pornography, as well as under the article on lecherous actions against his adopted daughter, recognizing his right to rehabilitation and compensation for damage.