Azerbaijan begins implementing President Aliyev’s pardon order for 20 convicts

Implementation of the pardon order signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has begun, granting clemency to 20 convicted individuals.

The order is being carried out at facilities operated by the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Under its terms, 19 people serving prison sentences have been released from further imprisonment, while another convict has been released from the unserved portion of a sentence involving restriction of liberty.

Among those pardoned is French national Martin Ryan, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Baku Court of Grave Crimes in March 2026 after being convicted of espionage on behalf of France. 

Ryan, who was arrested in December 2023, was accused by Azerbaijani authorities of collecting sensitive information on the country’s military capabilities and cooperation with foreign states, as well as facilitating contacts between an Azerbaijani citizen and French intelligence officers.

By Jeyhun Aghazada