Azerbaijan pardons French national Martin Ryan jailed on spy charges

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has pardoned Martin Ryan, a French national serving a 10-year prison sentence for spying charges. Ryan, arrested in 2023 and sentenced in March, was among 20 individuals granted clemency. This pardon follows the European Union's decision to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs, a move diplomats attributed to pressure from Baku. France welcomed the decision as a humanitarian gesture resulting from dialogue with Azerbaijani authorities. Prosecutors alleged Ryan gathered information on Azerbaijan's military ties and companies linked to Russia and China, charges Ryan denied. France had previously stated the allegations were false and called for his release, asserting he was caught in diplomatic tensions.

Azerbaijan has pardoned Frenchman Martin Ryan, who was jailed for espionage charges he denied, following the EU's decision to lift sanctions on a Russian billionaire. Ryan was detained in December 2023 and sentenced to ten years in prison in March. The article states prosecutors alleged he cooperated with French security services to gather information on Azerbaijan's relations with other countries and companies linked to Russia and China. The EU's decision to lift sanctions on the billionaire was criticized by Ukraine and initially opposed by Latvia, which ultimately abstained and announced its own measures. This pardon occurs amidst improving relations between France and Azerbaijan, despite past tensions. A second Frenchman remains imprisoned.