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world7h ago
Azerbaijan: Frenchman sentenced to 10 years for spying
- Azerbaijan sentenced Martin Ryan of France to 10 years in prison on charges of collecting secret information about the country’s military ties with Turkey and Pakistan.
- Ryan admitted some contact with embassy staff but denied knowingly spying, saying he was guilty only for contacting certain embassy personnel.
- Co-defendant Azad Mamedli was sentenced to 12 years in prison for treason in the case linked to Ryan.
- The case arose amid Paris-Baku tensions linked to the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War and ongoing regional scrutiny.
- Azerbaijan maintains strong ties with Russia while France supports Kyiv amid broad regional alignments.
- The verdict followed allegations Ryan recruited Mamedli and arranged meetings with French intelligence personnel.
- Ryan claimed he did not knowingly engage in espionage and argued the contacts were improper rather than illicit.
- The court’s ruling adds to the historical friction between France and Azerbaijan amid regional conflicts.
- European political dynamics in the region remain unsettled as Azerbaijan navigates alliances and security.
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