Azerbaijan pardons Martin Ryan after EU lifts sanctions on Russian billionaire
Martin Ryan, a French national, has been pardoned and released from prison in Azerbaijan after being jailed on espionage charges.
The pardon was issued hours after the European Union agreed to lift sanctions on two Russian billionaires – Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman – a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine.
Ryan was convicted in March for spying, a charge he and the French government denied. Prosecutors alleged he worked with French security staff in Baku, gathering sensitive data on Azerbaijan’s relations with Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and companies linked to Russia and China.
Aliyev pardoned Ryan along with 19 other detainees, including several Azerbaijanis and Turks, as part of a broader decree. However, a second French citizen, Anass Derraz, remains in jail accused of accepting a Russian bribe.
The EU’s decision to remove Usmanov and Fridman from its sanctions list was originally driven by Slovakia’s push and later supported by France, raising questions about the enforcement of security and foreign policy in Europe.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andriy Sybiha condemned the move, calling it an “impunity” for Russia and a sign of division among European nations.
The story highlights how international sanctions, diplomatic negotiations, and national security concerns intersect, affecting individuals on both sides of the political spectrum.
Key Points
- Martin Ryan – 10‑year prison term, pardoned in Azerbaijan.
- EU lifts sanctions on Russian billionaires Usmanov & Fridman.
- Ukraine reacts angrily; France and Slovakia played a role.
- Second Frenchman, Anass Derraz, still detained.
- Azerbaijan’s pardon includes 20 different nationals.
For a deeper look, see BBC’s coverage on Usmanov and related news about Ukraine’s response.
