Trial of Frenchman accused of espionage in Azerbaijan begins – News – The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

The trial of a Frenchman accused of espionage began in Azerbaijan on Monday, as relations between Baku and Paris have deteriorated to new lows for months over France’s support for Armenia.

French national Martin Ryan was arrested in December 2023 on charges of espionage. Paris has denied the allegations and called for his immediate release.

Prosecutors accused Ryan of cooperating with employees of the French security services who they said were based at the French embassy.

He was accused of collecting information about Baku’s relations with Türkiye, Iran and Pakistan, as well as companies linked to Russia and China.

Martin was tried alongside an Azerbaijani citizen, Azad Mamedli, accused of treason.

Ryan faces up to 15 years in prison, while Mamedli could be sentenced to life in prison.

Baku says Ryan lured Mamedli into spying and arranged for him to meet with French agents, who he alleges tasked him with recruiting Azerbaijanis and Russians at a Moscow university where he studied.

In court, the Frenchman repented and claimed to have acted without knowing it, according to an AFP journalist present in the courtroom.

Ryan’s lawyer has said his client also has British nationality.

France and Ryan’s defense lawyers have insisted that he is not part of French intelligence and is caught in the crossfire of diplomatic tensions.

Another Frenchman, Theo Hugo Clerc, is also detained in Azerbaijan and faces up to three years in prison for drawing graffiti on the Baku subway, in a case criticized by Paris.

France avoided the COP29 climate conference in Baku in November last year and accused Azerbaijan of stoking tensions in France’s overseas territories and dependencies.

Azerbaijan is angered by France’s decision to provide arms to Armenia, Baku’s former enemy, and accuses Paris of escalating the conflict between the Caucasus countries.