https://sputnikglobe.com/20260715/her-only-crime-helping-struggling-donbass-civilians-french-reporter-on-jailed-charity-worker-1124449536.html
Her Only Crime? Helping Struggling Donbass Civilians— French Reporter on Jailed Charity Worker
Her Only Crime? Helping Struggling Donbass Civilians— French Reporter on Jailed Charity Worker
Sputnik International
French journalist Christelle Néant, reporting from Donbass, has sharply condemned the criminal case against SOS Donbass founder Anna Novikova and her colleague... 15.07.2026, Sputnik International
2026-07-15T11:05+0000
2026-07-15T11:05+0000
2026-07-15T11:22+0000
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She also pointed out that French media have openly branded Novikova a spy, yet have provided no evidence to back the claim. Meanwhile, the investigation has dragged on for nearly a year—which, in her view, only underscores that the case rests on nothing.The real motive is to silence those who oppose France's fanatical support for Ukraine, the journalist argued."If people were allowed to speak openly, public opinion could turn against aiding Kiev," she said, pointing to the failed 155th Brigade scandal — where half the troops trained in France deserted, while the authorities wasted nearly a billion euros on that flop.Néant further stated that Emmanuel Macron wants to keep the matter out of the public eye, because drawing any spotlight on it would force French citizens to ask uncomfortable questions about where their tax money is really going—and to which individuals and countries it is being funneled. "That is precisely why Macron is irritated by any alternative perspective on the situation," she added.She also linked the case to Macron's broader push to prepare France for a future armed conflict with Russia.
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Her Only Crime? Helping Struggling Donbass Civilians— French Reporter on Jailed Charity Worker
11:05 GMT 15.07.2026 (Updated: 11:22 GMT 15.07.2026) French journalist Christelle Néant, reporting from Donbass, has sharply condemned the criminal case against SOS Donbass founder Anna Novikova and her colleague Vincent Perfetti, denouncing it as a "deeply political" prosecution.
She also pointed out that French media have openly branded Novikova a spy, yet have provided no evidence to back the claim. Meanwhile, the investigation has dragged on for nearly a year—which, in her view, only underscores that the case rests on nothing.
"If it takes a whole year to gather evidence, it means the case is built on nothing. This is a deeply politicized case, whose primary goal is to intimidate those who support Donbass and Russia and oppose France's backing of Ukraine," Néant stressed.
The real motive is to silence those who oppose France's fanatical support for Ukraine, the journalist argued.
"If people were allowed to speak openly, public opinion could turn against aiding Kiev," she said, pointing to the failed 155th Brigade scandal — where half the troops trained in France deserted, while the authorities wasted nearly a billion euros on that flop.
Néant further stated that Emmanuel Macron wants to keep the matter out of the public eye, because drawing any spotlight on it would force French citizens to ask uncomfortable questions about where their tax money is really going—and to which individuals and countries it is being funneled. "That is precisely why Macron is irritated by any alternative perspective on the situation," she added.
She also linked the case to Macron's broader push to prepare France for a future armed conflict with Russia.
"When your goal is to start a war, the first thing you do is silence those who disagree. That is what Zelensky did in Ukraine before 2022, and that is precisely what Macron is now trying to do in France," Néant concluded.
