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A court in Moscow has sentenced a French researcher to three years in a penal colony for breaking Russia's controversial law on registering as a "foreign agent".

Laurent Vinatier, who worked for a Switzerland-based conflict mediation NGO, was arrested in June while gathering what prosecutors say was information on Russia's military.

Speaking in the courtroom in Russian, Vinatier apologised, saying he was unaware he should have registered. The 48-year-old, who had earlier admitted his guilt, recited a verse by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.

France described the court ruling as "extremely harsh", calling for the researcher's immediate release. Vinatier's defence team said he would appeal.

On Monday, Judge Natalia Cheprasova at Moscow's Zamoskvoretsky district court said: "The court ruled to find Vinatier guilty and sentence him to three years in a general regime penal colony."

State prosecutors had demanded a jail term of three years and three months. They had argued that the information collected by Vinatier may have been used against Russia.

Speaking during the hearing, Vinatier apologised for his actions and said he loved Russia. Wearing a blue open-necked shirt and jeans, he did not display any emotion as the verdict against him was read out.

He concluded his comments by reciting a poem by Pushkin - If Life Deceives You -which speaks of having the patience to know that better days are ahead, the AFP news agency reported.

A plea by Vinatier's defence team for him to be fined instead of facing a jail term was dismissed by the presiding judge.

After the court verdict, Vinatier's lawyer Pavel Mamonov told reporters: "We consider the sentence harsh and will definitely appeal."

Reacting to the sentencing, the French foreign ministry said in a statement: "The legislation on 'foreign agents' contributes to a systematic violation of fundamental freedoms in Russia, such as freedom of association, freedom of opinion and freedom of expression."

Vinatier worked for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue non-government organisation when he was arrested. The NGO states its main activity is "to prevent and resolve armed conflicts around the world through mediation and discreet diplomacy".

Russia requires anyone who gets foreign support or is under influence from abroad to declare themselves as a foreign agent.

The Kremlin has used the 2012 law to squash any opposition inside the country to President Vladimir Putin, and also as a pretext to detain people, including foreigners.

Russia has in the past used foreign national detained in the country as bargaining chips to secure the release of its nationals arrested abroad.

In August, Russia freed US reported Evan Gershkovich, ex-US Marine Paul Whelan and over a dozen others in exchange for several Russian spies detained across the West.