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France announces start of 'normalisation' process with Azerbaijan after Frenchman released from prison

Published 6d ago · Updated 5d ago

Covered in 5 countries

AI summary38s readNeutral

Azerbaijan has freed a jailed French national following an apparent swap arrangement linked to the EU lifting sanctions on a Russian oligarch.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has pardoned Martin Ryan, a French national imprisoned in the country on espionage charges. The clemency decision came directly after the European Union lifted its sanctions against Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov. Reports describe the pardon as part of a diplomatic agreement resolving contentious prisoner detentions.

President Ilham Aliyev granted a presidential pardon to French citizen Martin Ryan, who had been jailed on espionage charges.
The release occurred immediately following the European Union's decision to drop sanctions against Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.
The arrangement was reportedly executed as part of a confidential prisoner release deal involving multiple governments.

Written from 5 of 6 outlets — 1 has since joined this story.

Timeline

Sep 22The European Union drops sanctions targeting Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.
Sep 23Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issues a pardon for imprisoned French national Martin Ryan.

Why it matters

Relations between Paris and Baku have been severely strained over French support for Armenia amid the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, prompting arrests and mutual espionage accusations.

What outlets agree on

Outlets agree that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pardoned French citizen Martin Ryan one day after the European Union removed sanctions on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.

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In this story

AzerbaijanIlham AliyevFranceMartin RyanAlisher UsmanovEU

Covered by 6 outlets

83% of the sources are Center

17%83%

Lean ratings via Media Bias/Fact Check, Ad Fontes Media

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