French police have taken four individuals into custody, suspected of being involved in a conspiracy to target Vladimir Osechkin, an exiled Russian human rights activist. Osechkin is well-known for his tireless efforts to reveal abuses within Russian prison systems, according to France’s national anti-terror prosecution office.
The investigation is being spearheaded by France’s General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), the nation’s counter-espionage and counter-terrorism intelligence service. The arrests were made on Monday, October 13, 2025, but details regarding the suspects’ nationalities, potential motives, or any ties to foreign intelligence agencies were not immediately disclosed by the anti-terror prosecution office.
Mr. Osechkin is the founder of Gulagu.net, a prominent human rights organization dedicated to exposing the harsh conditions and abuses prevalent in the Russian penal system. He has harbored suspicions for a considerable time that his work could make him a target for assassination, even while living in exile in Biarritz, a picturesque coastal town in southwestern France.
In a recent interview, Osechkin revealed that he has faced numerous threats against his life since 2022, with the most recent occurring in February of this year. Despite previous arrests made by French police in response to these threats, he believes the danger persists. He further explained that he and his family are frequently relocated to safe houses whenever new threats materialize.
Osechkin commented on the arrests, stating, “Those who were arrested are merely a part of a larger network; they belong to a significant team.”
The DGSI is actively engaged in a broader investigation into alleged ongoing efforts by Russia and its proxies to destabilize France through various tactics, including cyberattacks. This forms part of a wider suspected campaign of Russian sabotage and hybrid warfare aimed at European nations allied with Ukraine.
Osechkin was granted political asylum in France after escaping Russia due to pressure from authorities over his prison reform advocacy. His organization frequently releases videos and detailed reports of alleged torture and corruption within Russian correctional facilities. Notably, he was also one of the first to expose the Russian military’s recruitment of prisoners to participate in the conflict in Ukraine.
Furthermore, Gulagu.net played a crucial role in bringing Pavel Filatiev, a former Russian paratrooper, to France in 2022. Filatiev, who was injured during his service in the Ukraine war, subsequently shared his experiences publicly, accusing Russian military leaders of incompetence and corruption, leading to the betrayal of their own soldiers.