French National Jailed for 10 Years in Azerbaijan for Spying

 

UK – BBC, Mar. 16, 2026

A French national has been found guilty of spying on the military in Azerbaijan and sentenced to 10 years in a maximum security prison, state media report. 

Martin Ryan was accused in December 2023 of spying on behalf of Paris and collecting secret information about Baku’s military co-operation with Turkey and Pakistan.

He was also accused of helping recruit French-speaking Azerbaijanis to co-operate with French intelligence. 

Both France and Ryan have repeatedly denied the spying allegations.

Ryan was put on trial alongside an Azerbaijani citizen, Azad Mamedli, who was sentenced to 12 years for treason, AFP news agency reports.

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