French journalist asks Putin to protect his family amid EU sanctions

French journalist Adrien Bocquet has appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for help in protecting his relatives and allowing him to continue his work.

Bocquet said it was impossible to freely express one’s position in modern France, as doing so, he claims, is punished without trial or respect for rights, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

According to Bocquet, following the introduction of European Union sanctions, he and his family are now under threat.

“This is the current policy of Macron. Complete lawlessness. I am losing everything in an instant,” he said.

Bocquet stated that, due to the sanctions, he has found himself in a critical situation that poses a threat to him and his family.

“This puts me and my family in mortal danger. I am appealing to everyone who can help me. I have never been contacted, never summoned, never warned, and have never received any notice. I cannot defend myself. I have not been tried. All my rights have been violated,” he added.

The journalist believes that these actions have slandered him and also affected his family, “who have nothing to do with what is happening.”

“They have suffered significant harm, including threats of murder and physical violence. By punishing me, they are punishing all independent journalists in the world,” he emphasized.

On March 16, the European Union added Adrien Bocquet to its sanctions list.

He became a Russian citizen in 2023 and is a former French military officer.

In Donetsk, Bocquet, in particular, served as a military expert on NATO weaponry for DPR (Donetsk People's Republic) at the Joint Centre for Monitoring and Coordination on issues related to Ukraine’s alleged war crimes. In addition, he is involved in volunteer activities.

Bocquet was the first among Western volunteers to publicly state that the events in Bucha were a provocation by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov