Overview
- The Russian Embassy said a consular officer was granted access to Anna Novikova at Fleury-Mérogis prison to review her detention conditions and provide assistance.
- Novikova has been held since November 2025 on suspicion of espionage, and diplomats note her dual French-Russian citizenship limits consular options under French law.
- Her husband and a friend identified as Olga were taken into custody after questioning in the city of Pau, according to her French lawyer.
- Paris prosecutors cite potential charges including damage to protected property tied to a poster placed on the Arc de Triomphe and alleged intelligence gathering for a foreign state, with exposure of up to 15 years on some counts.
- Her lawyer plans to seek provisional release and says the charges are very serious, warning she could face 10 to 30 years depending on how the indictment is formulated.