Azerbaijan pardons French national Martin Ryan following EU sanction removals

presidential pardon espionage conviction EU sanctions Russian oligarchs diplomatic prisoner exchange

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has pardoned 20 individuals, including French businessman Martin Ryan, who had been serving a ten-year prison sentence for espionage. The pardon follows the European Union's decision to lift sanctions against Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.

Diplomats in Brussels suggested that France had privately pressured the EU to remove sanctions on Usmanov as part of a broader deal to secure the release of French citizens held in Azerbaijan. While Luxembourg also successfully sought the removal of sanctions against Fridman, Azerbaijan has officially rejected any claims that it used the sanctions issue to exert pressure on France.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the lifting of sanctions, describing the move as 'autodestructive' while Russia continues its military actions. The release of Ryan, who had been detained since December 2023, marks a significant development in the strained relations between Baku and Paris.

Entities

Alisher Usmanov · Azerbaijan · European Union · Ilham Aliyev · Martin Ryan · Mikhail Fridman

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 9 SOURCES] President Ilham Aliyev pardoned 20 individuals, including French national Martin Ryan, citing their health, family, and personality. berita.rtm.gov.my · lesinguliersete.fr · news.az · www.france24.com · www.bienpublic.com · +4 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Anass Derraz, a French executive convicted of corruption, was not included in the presidential pardon. berita.rtm.gov.my · www.index.hr
[● 4 SOURCES] The European Union removed sanctions against Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. berita.rtm.gov.my · lesinguliersete.fr · imazpress.com · www.france24.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Azerbaijan rejected claims that it used the sanctions issue to pressure France. clubz.bg · www.index.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] Martin Ryan denied the espionage charges brought against him. berita.rtm.gov.my · www.bienpublic.com · www.tf1info.fr
[● 2 SOURCES] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the lifting of sanctions against the oligarchs an 'autodestructive' move. lesinguliersete.fr · imazpress.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Diplomats suggested France pressured the EU to lift sanctions on Usmanov in exchange for the release of French prisoners in Azerbaijan. berita.rtm.gov.my · lesinguliersete.fr · clubz.bg · imazpress.com · www.france24.com · +1 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Martin Ryan was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 10 years in prison. berita.rtm.gov.my · lesinguliersete.fr · www.bienpublic.com · news.az · www.tf1info.fr · +4 more