Russia has freed French political scholar Laurent Vinatier in a prisoner exchange with France. Vinatier, who was serving a three-year sentence for violating "foreign agent" laws and facing espionage charges, was pardoned by President Putin. In return, Russia received Daniil Kasatkin, a Russian basketball player detained in France at the request of the U.S. for alleged hacking involvement. The exchange follows earlier discussions between the two countries regarding the scholars case.