Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pardoned French citizen Martin Ryan on Wednesday. Ryan, who was arrested in December 2023 and imprisoned for espionage, is expected to fly to Paris on Wednesday.
The pardon comes a day after the European Union lifted sanctions on two Russian oligarchs, including billionaire Alisher Usmanov. The EU previously referred to Usmanov as one of Vladimir Putin’s favorite oligarchs. The removal of these sanctions occurred at the request of France and Luxembourg to facilitate Ryan's release.
Diplomats stated that the move followed lobbying from Paris and pressure from Baku. France welcomed the pardon as a humanitarian gesture that would pave the way for improved relations.