Azerbaijani court hears testimony in espionage, treason case tied to France

A new hearing was held in the criminal case at Azerbaijan's State Security Service involving Martin Ryan, accused of espionage on behalf of France, and Azad Mammadli, charged with treason.

According to local media, cited by Caliber.Az, during the trial at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, presided over by Judge Elmin Rustamov, F.A., an employee of Housing and Maintenance Department No. 28 of the Nizami district, testified.

He stated that he and a colleague participated as witnesses during the operation by State Security Service to detain Martin Ryan.

The witness said authorities seized two laptops, four mobile phones, documents and books in French, and a large number of business cards from Ryan’s apartment:

“Everything was recorded on video. The seized phones, laptops, and other items were packaged. The entire process was translated for him into French. After the inspection, a protocol was drawn up and signed by Martin Ryan and us.”

The next court hearing is scheduled for February 16.

According to the indictment, there is reasonable suspicion that Martin Ryan, acting on instructions from French intelligence, collected information regarding:

• Weapons and ammunition produced in Azerbaijan;

• The staffing of the Azerbaijani army during the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020;

• Military personnel and reservists potentially available for collaboration;

• Azerbaijani citizens educated abroad in French;

• Foreign citizens and entities operating in Azerbaijan;

• Possible covert financial transfers through Azerbaijan to other countries.

Ryan also allegedly gathered intelligence on Azerbaijan’s relations with countries including the United Kingdom, Algeria, Türkiye, Pakistan, Iran, China, Somalia, and Central Asian states, as well as on military cooperation plans and weapons and ammunition deliveries to Azerbaijan.

The suspects were arrested on December 4, 2023, by the Azerbaijani State Security Service.

Martin Ryan, who served as the CEO of “Merkorama” LLC, was charged under Article 276 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code (espionage). The indictment states that he was secretly recruited and later used as a spy by the French General Directorate for External Security (DGSE), whose personnel were subsequently declared persona non grata in Baku and expelled from Azerbaijan.

Alongside Ryan, Azerbaijani citizen Azad Mammadli faces charges under Article 274 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code (treason).

By Khagan Isayev