Azerbaijan pardons Frenchman after EU lifts Usmanov sanctions
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has pardoned French national Martin Ryan, who had been serving a 10-year prison sentence for espionage. Ryan was among 20 people pardoned under a presidential decree issued on Wednesday.
Release Follows EU Decision
Ryan’s pardon came a day after the European Union removed Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov and Russian-Israeli businessman Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list. Diplomats told Reuters that France had pushed for Usmanov’s removal as part of efforts linked to French nationals detained in Azerbaijan.
France Linked To Usmanov Delisting
Diplomatic sources said Azerbaijan had used the detention of French citizens as leverage in discussions over Usmanov’s sanctions status. France reportedly supported removing him from the EU list, while Azerbaijan had previously argued that sanctions against the billionaire were unjust. Azerbaijani officials have denied that Baku pressured France over the issue.
Ryan Denied Espionage
Ryan was detained in December 2023 and sentenced to 10 years in prison in March after being convicted of espionage. He denied the accusations and said during his trial that he was not a spy and had tried to prove his innocence.
Information Gathering Allegations
Azerbaijani prosecutors accused Ryan of working with French security personnel in Baku and gathering information about Azerbaijan’s relations with Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. He was also accused of collecting information about companies linked to Russia and China.
Second Frenchman Remains Jailed
Another French citizen, Anass Derraz, remains imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Derraz, an employee of French water management company Saur, was sentenced to 12 years in 2025 after being convicted on corruption-related charges. He was not included in Aliyev’s latest pardon.
EU Removes Two Billionaires
The EU agreed to remove Usmanov and Fridman from its Russia sanctions list while extending restrictions against roughly 3,000 other individuals and entities for three years instead of the previous six-month renewal period.
Usmanov Disputed EU Claims
Usmanov was placed under EU sanctions in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU cited what it described as particularly close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and alleged that he had benefited from and supported Russian decision-makers. Usmanov has rejected those characterisations.
Ukraine Condemns Decision
Ukraine criticised the EU’s decision to remove the two billionaires from the sanctions list. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said the move would benefit Moscow, while Kyiv has indicated it will seek to have sanctions against the two men restored.
Latvia Takes Separate Action
Latvia initially opposed the removal of Usmanov and Fridman but ultimately abstained, allowing the wider sanctions package to pass. Latvian officials said the country would introduce its own national measures against the two businessmen.
France-Azerbaijan Relations
Relations between France and Azerbaijan have been strained in recent years, partly because of France’s close ties with Armenia. However, French President Emmanuel Macron and Aliyev have recently discussed improving bilateral relations, with both sides describing the relationship as entering a new phase.
Diplomatic Fallout Continues
Ryan’s pardon and the EU’s decision to remove Usmanov and Fridman have become closely linked in diplomatic discussions, although Azerbaijan rejects claims that it pressured France. The developments have also raised questions within Europe over the handling of Russia sanctions and their connection to broader diplomatic negotiations.
