Azerbaijan pardons French businessman after EU lifts sanctions on…
Ilham Aliev granted a pardon to French businessman Marten Ryan, who was sentenced in Azerbaijan for "espionage".
Consensus
- Martin Ryan, a French citizen, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Azerbaijani court in March 2026 for spying.
- President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree pardoning Ryan on September 23, 2024.
- The pardon was part of a broader decision to pardon 20 individuals, including citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia, Pakistan, and Turkey.
- Ryan was arrested in December 2023 in Azerbaijan.
- The European Union removed sanctions on Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanev on September 22, 2024.
- France had lobbied for the removal of sanctions on Usmanov, with some sources suggesting a link to Ryan's pardon.
- Ryan denied all charges and claimed he was not involved in espionage.
- Ryan was the general director of the company Mercorama, which specialized in food imports.
- The Azerbaijani authorities alleged that Ryan collected information on military production, arms procurement, and military cooperation with other countries.
Points of divergence
- Ryan had British citizenship through his father, Richard Ryan. — tg_echoonline_news
- Ryan was engaged to an Azerbaijani woman and planned to expand his business into other regional countries. — tg_echoonline_news
- Ryan considered moving to Canada, the US, Russia, Armenia, Dubai, or Qatar before choosing Azerbaijan. — tg_echoonline_news
- The Financial Times reported that France pressured Azerbaijan to secure the release of Ryan in exchange for lifting sanctions on Usmanov. — tg_theinsider
- Azerbaijan promised to release another French citizen, Anass Derdza, but he was not included in the pardon list. — tg_istories_media
- Lukembourg pushed for the removal of sanctions on Mikhail Fridman, who sought $16 billion in compensation from the country. — tg_istories_media
- The pardon may have resulted from a backdoor agreement between France and Uzbekistan, according to Euronews. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- The French government denied any such agreement, citing national security concerns. — tg_radiosvoboda
- Le Monde reported that the sanctions removal could help free two French citizens in Azerbaijan. — tg_tvrain
Coverage (15 sources)
- Portrait of the Day: Marten Ryan — French citizen sentenced in Azerbaijan for espionage, pardoned by Ilham Aliyev — ЭХО / Новости
- Aliev pardoned Frenchman after lifting sanctions on Usmanov and Friedman — DW Главное
- Ilham Aliev pardons French businessman Marten Ryan, sentenced in Azerbaijan for 'espionage'. Paris pursued... at request of Baku — The Insider
- Aliyev signed a decree on the pardon of 20 people, including a citizen of Russia — Вечерняя Москва
- Ilham Aliev pardoned French businessman Marten Rayyan. His release was a condition for lifting sanctions on Usmanov... — Важные истории
- In exchange for lifting sanctions on Usmanov, Azerbaijan's president pardoned French businessman accused of espionage — The Moscow Times
- President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev pardons French businessman Martin Ryan, sentenced on espionage charges... — Радио Свобода
- Aliev pardoned French businessman convicted of espionage. His release media call part of deal... — Дождь (Telegram)
- President of Azerbaijan pardoned a French citizen convicted of espionage — Интерфакс
- Aliyev signed a decree on pardon — Вести
- Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the pardon of 20 people — Коммерсантъ
- Aliev pardoned French businessman Marten Ryan. His release was linked to lifting European sanctions on Usmanov — Meduza
- Ilham Aliev pardoned a French citizen. This may be related to the lifting of sanctions on Alishe Usmenov — ЭХО / Новости
- French spy Martin Ryan sentenced in Azerbaijan — Ведомости
- Ilham Aliev pardoned French citizen Martin Ryan — Настоящее Время
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