Azerbaijan initiates proceedings against a French national charged with espionage

French national Martin Ryan faced trial in Azerbaijan on Monday, facing espionage charges that could result in a prison term of 10 to 15 years, according to the presiding judge. Ryan, who was detained in December 2023, is accused by Azerbaijan of gathering classified information regarding its military partnerships with Turkey and Pakistan, as well as assisting in the recruitment of French-speaking Azerbaijanis for collaboration with French intelligence.

In court, Ryan stated that he pleaded “partially guilty.” He expressed, “I recognize that I engaged in the actions attributed to me, but I did so without knowledge and intention. I am ready to provide evidence to support this during the trial.”

Ryan had been employed in Azerbaijan by a food import company that also provided consulting services. Prosecutors claim he facilitated communication between French intelligence and Azad Mammadli, an Azerbaijani national who is also facing trial.

Mammadli, charged with high treason and potentially facing a sentence of 15 years to life if found guilty, entered a not guilty plea during the hearing on Monday.

The relationship between Azerbaijan and France has significantly deteriorated since Azerbaijan regained control of the previously Armenian-held Nagorno-Karabakh region in September 2023, three decades after it seceded from Baku. France, which has a substantial Armenian diaspora, supplies arms to Armenia. In November of the previous year, France’s climate minister canceled a planned visit to U.N. discussions in Baku, and France condemned “unacceptable” statements after Azerbaijan accused it of committing “crimes” in its overseas territories.