PARIS: Azerbaijani authorities arrested a French citizen on charges of spying in December last, as tensions between the two countries escalated and led to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats.
Accusing France of supporting Armenia, Azerbaijan contended that France is contributing to tensions in the South Caucasus both diplomatically and militarily.
“A French national, Martin Ryan, was arrested on December 4, 2023, suspected of committing acts of espionage,” revealed Azerbaijan’s ambassador to France, Leyla Abdullayeva. She informed that judicial authorities had ordered a four-month detention, and the French embassy in Baku was duly notified.
Martin Ryan’s father, Richard, confirmed that the family had limited communication with him. “He says he’s being treated well and is getting on well with his lawyer,” Richard Ryan stated. Martin Ryan believes his detention is connected to the heightened tensions between Azerbaijan and France, with his father recounting, “Once he told me: ‘They wanted to use me as a pawn.'”
Accused to Face 15-Year Prison Term if Convicted on Espionage Charges: Azerbaijan
The appointed lawyer for Martin Ryan, Nizami Aliyev, cautioned against discussing the case but mentioned the potential of a 15-year prison term if convicted. Aliyev asserted that Ryan had unknowingly interacted with individuals later identified as “agents” of French intelligence, emphasizing that Ryan is a citizen, not an agent.
The French embassy in Azerbaijan and the French foreign ministry refrained from immediate comments. Diplomatic tensions heightened when Azerbaijan expelled two French diplomats in December, prompting France to reciprocate with similar measures. In November, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused France of instigating conflict in the Caucasus by supporting Armenia.
The two nations have a history of conflicts over Nagorno-Karabakh, and the recent war saw Azerbaijan gaining control of the region.
France has also linked Azerbaijani figures to a disinformation campaign aimed at tarnishing France’s reputation as the host of the 2024 Olympic Games, according to a report seen by AFP in November. France is home to a substantial Armenian diaspora.
