Europe

Two French researchers, sentenced to 8 months in prison after throwing explosive devices at the courtyard of the Russian Consulate in Marseille /One of them is of Romanian origin

Two researchers from France's National Center for Scientific Research were sentenced Thursday, February 27, to eight months in prison for throwing explosive devices at the Russian consulate in Marseille, according to the report BFM TV.

The two threw plastic bottles filled with liquid nitrogen at the Russian consulate in Marseille on Monday, February 24.

The researchers were tried before the court of first instance in Marseille. During the trial, the two men justified their actions by explaining that they wanted to „draw the attention” to the situation in Ukraine.

„We were stupid”

The researchers also emphasized their intention not to hurt anyone. „We wanted to make noise, we didn't want to hurt anyone or do any harm”, they said. „We didn't think about the consequences, we were stupid, we were completely overwhelmed by the situation, we didn't measure the diplomatic consequences”, they added.

The two men claimed that they wished to surrender to the authorities as soon as possible after their act. „We went to the pro-Ukrainian demonstration in the evening for the police to catch us”, they explained. Once arrested, they admitted their actions in police custody.

One of the two is Vasile H., a Romanian-born doctor in materials physics. A shy, curly-haired, gray-haired engineer immediately admits that he is perfectly aware of the facts, but insists that he did not want to hurt anyone's feelings. „I am quite sensitive to the current climate. The elections in the United States are not going in the right direction. George and I often talk and we decided we had to do something for February 24”, explains the researcher, quoted by Le Figaro.

Liquid nitrogen in a thermos

„I wanted to make some noise. He came up with the idea of nitrogen because he is a very good” physicist, adds Vasile H., revealing the details of the operation. Early in the morning, the two went to the CNRS to get liquid nitrogen, a product stored at -196 degrees Celsius which, poured into a closed bottle, turns into gas and causes everything to accumulate pressure „like the air in the wheel of a bicycle”. „You can't buy liquid nitrogen in stores, it's too volatile. We went to pick him up from the lab that morning and put everything in a thermos”, Georges S. added very seriously.

The two accomplices then boarded a car and headed to the Russian consulate, being equipped with masks, gloves and plastic soda bottles to pour the chemical element into the car. Video surveillance footage used by police then shows Georges S. and Vasile H. going in two different directions with „explosives” in their hands. „I threw a bottle, but it fell next door at the neighbor's house. I ran and heard nothing more. I thought I did it for nothing, he says. „I marked the place on Google Maps to be able to throw the projectile on a roof. If he had hit someone, he could have had a very severe headache”, adds Georges S..

At least two bangs followed by „fum alb” were recorded and heard by witnesses at the scene, including a neighbor of the diplomatic building who found smoky debris in his property. In the immediate aftermath, about thirty firefighters were mobilized alongside police and defuse experts. Consulate staff were isolated in its rooms throughout the morning, and sources reported the presence of „Molotov” cocktails near the building. Moscow quickly denounced what it considered to be a „terroristattack”, while the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned „any attack on the security of diplomatic premises”.

When Vasile H. and Georges S. became aware of these disturbances, they began to realize the significance of their actions. Returning to the CNRS, the nanomaterials researcher felt remorse. „We could have said to ourselves: what's next? But we didn't ask ourselves that question beforehand”, admits Georges S.. „I have no hostility to the Russian people, only to their government. We did not evaluate or appreciate the diplomatic impact that this” would have, adds Vasile H.

Suspecting that the police were on their trail, the researchers went to a demonstration in support of Ukraine at the end of the day to be interrogated. „I suspected we'd get caught. After that, I told myself that I was really very stupid”, admits shamefully Georges S., whose girlfriend is of Ukrainian origin.

„But you know diplomats are protected in France. It is sacred territory that cannot be touched. Have you not thought about the consequences of your actions, despite your above-average intelligence?”, asks an investigator, who confesses that he was surprised to see two individuals “with no antecedents” and no record. „We must not stand impassive in the face of violence”, Vasile H timidly replied.. Placed in police custody, they narrowly avoided being remanded in custody, which allowed them to appear free before the court.

These small concessions were far from to the liking of the Russian consul general, seated next to the defendants. Through an interpreter, he reaffirmed the „terrorist” nature of the act. „They acted as a group, we know they were well prepared, identifying the substance beforehand and leaving their mobile phones at home. The consequences of this act could have been more serious”, the translator said.

„Do not attack representatives of a foreign country. This is an absolute taboo in international and diplomatic relations. This taboo has been largely breached”, the prosecutor charged. „Facts are not dangerous (...) We are dealing with researchers without history, who have opinions and want to express them. But that's the wrong way to proceed”, he pointed out, calling for a one-year prison sentence to be served with an electronic bracelet.

„They are not terrorists, activists or delinquents. They see things that make them uneasy. The general situation caused them anxiety”, argued lawyer Rami Chahine, who recommended a fine and reimbursement for the damage caused. The court sentenced the two researchers to eight months in prison with a warrant to bring them, which will be adapted in the next five days to house arrest with an electronic bracelet. Therefore, Vasile H. and Georges S. will go to prison this Thursday evening. A new hearing will be held on 23 January 2026 to discuss civil interests, namely the compensation of the Russian Consulate and the CNRS.