Russia sets appeal date for jailed French researcher

A Russian court has set a February 24 appeal hearing for French researcher Laurent Vinatier, jailed for three years for failing to register as a "foreign agent." Vinatier, working for a Swiss mediation NGO, admitted guilt, claiming ignorance of the law. France has condemned the case, which comes amid strained Russia-France relations over Ukraine. His lawyers argue the sentence is excessively harsh and sought a fine instead.