France condemns Moscow syringe attack

PARIS - France's Foreign Ministry has condemned an attack on a French activist in Moscow who says she was jabbed in the leg with a syringe.

French and Russian newspapers have quoted Carine Clement as saying she was attacked with a syringe containing an unidentified liquid in the center of the Russian capital after being approached by two men.

According to the reports, she said she handed the syringe over to police as evidence and submitted blood for an HIV test.

Clement is a Moscow-based sociologist and activist with a group defending homeowners against abusive developers.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Frederic Desagneaux said it is the third time Clement has been targeted, but did not give further details.

According to the Moscow Times, Clement said a man punched her in the face on Oct. 24, robbing her and fleeing in a car. Last Wednesday, Clement said, a young man approached her in western Moscow and told her in a threatening voice that she should "leave here."

The French Foreign Ministry ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the latest attack is "unacceptable" and that French authorities have contacted her.

More from msnbc.com Remembering Cronkite — our favorite uncle   Images: Faces from the county fair The recession is slowing in these 23 cities Which leader has wandering eye? Take our quiz Cosmic Log: Next giant leap reconsidered

MORE FROM EUROPE

Europe Section Front

World’s oldest man dies at age 113 Pope breaks wrist after slipping in bath Belgian museum exposes celebrity underpants 2nd worker dies after Madonna tour accident Police: Priest slain in Russia solicited gay sex Pedophile check riles U.K. kids' authors Europe Section Front   Add Europe headlines to your news reader: