Azerbaijan pardons Frenchman after EU lifts sanctions on Russian billionaire
Summary
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pardoned Frenchman Martin Ryan, who was jailed for spying, and ordered his release. This happened shortly after the European Union lifted sanctions on two Russian billionaires, which caused criticism from Ukraine.Key Facts
- Martin Ryan, a French citizen, was convicted of spying in Azerbaijan but denied the charges.
- Azerbaijani President Aliyev pardoned Ryan and 19 other people, ordering their release.
- The EU lifted sanctions on Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
- Usmanov has been accused by the EU of supporting Russian actions in Crimea and Ukraine, but he denies these claims.
- Ukraine criticized the EU decision, saying it sends a wrong message amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
- Latvia opposed lifting the sanctions but abstained in the EU vote and plans its own sanctions.
- Ryan was sentenced to 10 years in prison; another accused man, Azad Mamedli, received 12 years and was not pardoned.
- France influenced the EU decision to remove Usmanov from the sanctions list and is seeking closer relations with Azerbaijan.
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