Azerbaijan pardons Frenchman after EU lifts sanctions on Russian billionaire
Martin Ryan was released months after being jailed on spying charges, though a second French national remains imprisoned in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan has pardoned French national Martin Ryan, months after he was jailed on espionage-related charges, according to a report from the BBC.
The pardon came around the time the European Union lifted sanctions on a Russian billionaire, though the BBC report did not specify a direct causal link between the two developments beyond their timing.
A second Frenchman remains imprisoned in Azerbaijan, the BBC reported, without providing further detail on that individual's case or charges.
Relations between France and Azerbaijan have been strained in recent years over a range of issues, including Baku's conflict with Armenia and allegations from French officials of Azerbaijani interference in French overseas territories, claims Azerbaijan has denied. The detention of French nationals in Azerbaijan has previously drawn attention from French officials and rights groups.
The circumstances surrounding Ryan's original arrest and conviction were not detailed in the available report.
Sources
- Azerbaijan pardons Frenchman after EU lifts sanctions on Russian billionaire — BBC News — World
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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