French national Martin Ryan has been pardoned by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev after a six‑year jail stint on espionage accusations. The pardon came hours after the European Union lifted sanctions on Russian‑linked billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, provoking anger from Ukraine, which decried a tactical advantage for Moscow.
Ryan was one of 20 people granted clemency by Aliyev, who said the decision was part of a wider diplomatic outreach. Meanwhile, another Frenchman, Anass Derraz, remains incarcerated for allegedly accepting bribes from a Russian businessman.
The EU’s removal of sanctions reflects a shift away from the regular six‑month renewals that had applied to over 3,000 entities, effectively extending pressure on the sanctioned individuals for three years. Usmanov was cited for close ties to President Vladimir Putin and alleged support of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, a stance he has denied.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andriy Sybiha, blasted the move as an act of impunity for Moscow, accusing the EU of undermining collective security. Latvia, initially opposed, chose to abstain and to impose its own sanctions against the two men, warning that such moves send a wrong signal amid Russia’s aggressive posture.
Paris’ relationship with Azerbaijan has historically been strained due to its ties to neighboring Armenia, yet the French president recently discussed strengthening ties with President Aliyev. The pardon of Ryan, along with 19 other inmates, marks a notable diplomatic gesture amid a broader backdrop of shifting alliances and sanctions policy.
