World News
Azerbaijan pardons French citizen as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list
Martin Ryan was released after the bloc dropped sanctions on two Russian billionaires amid diplomatic talks.
The short version
- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pardoned French national Martin Ryan alongside 19 others on Wednesday.[France 24]
- The pardon followed an EU compromise deal to remove Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list.[BBC News · France 24]
- Diplomats indicated Paris sought the removal of Usmanov's sanctions regarding French prisoners, though Baku rejected claims of using the detainees for leverage.[BBC News · France 24]
- A second French national, Anass Derraz, remains detained in Azerbaijan accused of accepting a Russian bribe.[BBC News]
Key facts
- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pardoned 20 individuals on Wednesday, including French national Martin Ryan.[France 24]
- Martin Ryan had been serving a 10-year prison sentence in Baku following his conviction in March.[France 24]
- The European Union agreed to remove Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions blacklist.[BBC News · France 24]
- A second French citizen, Anass Derraz, remains imprisoned in Azerbaijan on accusations of taking a Russian bribe.[BBC News]
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha criticized the European Union's decision to lift the sanctions.[BBC News]
What remains uncertain
- European diplomats stated Paris believed Baku was using Alisher Usmanov to pressure France regarding detained citizens, but Baku denied using the prisoners for leverage.[France 24]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.