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Azerbaijan frees jailed Frenchman after EU lifts sanctions on Russian billionaire
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- French national Martin Ryan was pardoned and ordered released from prison by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev after being jailed on espionage charges, which France denied.
- Ryan's release coincided with the EU's decision to lift sanctions on Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, a move that sparked criticism from Ukraine.
- The EU extended sanctions on over 3,000 individuals and entities related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but removed Usmanov and Fridman following pressure from Slovakia and France citing national security concerns.
- Ukraine condemned the EU's easing of sanctions as a victory for Moscow, while Latvia opposed the decision and announced it would impose its own measures on the two oligarchs.
- French-Azerbaijani relations have recently improved despite past tensions, with President Macron discussing closer ties with Aliyev prior to Ryan's pardon, which also included 19 other individuals.
