Azerbaijani president pardons French national Martin Ryan in espionage case

French citizen Ryan Martin Richard, who was convicted by Azerbaijan’s Baku Court of Grave Crimes earlier this year, has been pardoned by President Ilham Aliyev.

Aliyev signed an order on September 23 pardoning a number of convicted individuals, according to information published on the Azerbaijani president’s official website.

Under the order, 20 people were released from serving the remainder of their prison sentences, including Richard, who was convicted by the Baku Court of Grave Crimes on March 16, 2026.

The presidential decision took into account appeals submitted by convicted individuals and their family members, as well as by Azerbaijan’s Ombudsman. The authorities also considered the individuals’ personal circumstances, health, family status, the nature of their offences and their conduct while serving their sentences.

Richard is among several foreign nationals included in the pardon order. Citizens of Pakistan, Türkiye and Russia were also pardoned.

The full list of pardoned individuals was published on the official website of the President of Azerbaijan.