By AZE.US
BAKU — Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has pardoned 20 people, including five foreign nationals and French citizen Martin Ryan, who had been sentenced to 10 years in prison in March on an espionage charge.
The order took effect when it was signed on Sept. 23, 2026, according to Vesti Baku.
Nineteen people were released from the remaining portions of their prison sentences. One Azerbaijani citizen, Aziz Dadashov, was released from the unserved portion of a sentence restricting his freedom.
Five Foreign Nationals Released
The foreign citizens released from prison were Turkish nationals Mehmet Demir and Salih Ozdemir; Kirill Mikhailov, a citizen of Russia and Israel; French citizen Martin Ryan; and Pakistani citizen Sonia Sabir.
APA reported that the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced Ryan to 10 years in prison on March 16, 2026. The agency said he had been accused of spying for France.
Factors Considered
According to the order published by Report, the decision followed appeals from prisoners, their relatives and Azerbaijan’s human rights commissioner.
The review considered the prisoners’ personal circumstances and health, their family situations, the nature and social danger of their offenses, the amount of time served and their conduct in custody. The order cited humanitarian principles.
AZE.US