Russia requires anyone who receives foreign support or who is under "foreign influence" to register as a "foreign agent", and has previously used the law as a pretext to arrest people before levelling more serious charges.

"A French citizen suspected of collecting information on Russia's military activities was detained in Moscow. This information, if obtained by foreign sources, could be used against the security of the state," Russia's Investigative Committee said.

"To this end, he repeatedly visited Russia, including Moscow, where he held meetings with Russian citizens," it added.

It did not name the man, but the state-run TASS news agency said it was Laurent Vinatier, a researcher and Russia analyst who works for the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, a conflict mediation NGO.

The Investigative Committee said the suspect was charged with failing to submit documents needed for "inclusion in the register of foreign agents".

It also published a video showing a man being approached by officers in a restaurant terrace before being led into a police van.

He faces a maximum prison sentence of five years, if convicted.

US-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was arrested on a similar charge last year, before a more serious case of spreading "false information" about the army was levelled against her.