Espionage and treason case: Witnesses questioned in Ryan, Mammadli trial

Another session has been held in the criminal case brought by the State Security Service (SSS) against Martin Ryan, accused of espionage for France, and Azad Mammadli, charged with treason against the state, local media reports.

The hearing took place at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes under the supervision of Judge Elmin Rustamov. During the proceedings, witnesses provided testimony regarding the activities of the accused.

One witness, identified as I.A., stated that he had been employed at the “Bon Accord” company since 1997, first as a warehouse keeper and later as a specialist. He currently serves as the company’s head. He explained that the company has primarily focused on supplying pipes for the oil industry, sourcing materials from Germany, Romania, and other countries.

I.A. said his wife had received Martin Ryan’s contact information through a recommendation from another parent at their child’s school. He added that Ryan spoke French, and he initially engaged him for his child’s French lessons and chess tutoring.

The witness described subsequent interactions with Ryan in which Ryan mentioned his wine business and proposed a partnership, which the witness ultimately declined. Ryan reportedly inquired whether the witness had connections to the British Embassy, to which he responded negatively.

The witness further noted that Ryan showed interest in the company he headed, asking about its headquarters in France, the activities of its branches, and its international structure. He stated that while the company’s central office had been in Marseille from 2005 to 2019, it operated as part of a larger international group.

In May 2023, I.A. said Ryan contacted him to discuss the import and sale of generators in Azerbaijan, accompanied by a woman of apparent Russian nationality and a tall, large-built man. The witness declined the proposal, citing a saturated market. Discussions also touched upon French companies operating in the country.

Another witness, identified as I.I., who works at Housing and Communal Maintenance Unit No. 80 in Baku, testified regarding a search conducted by SSS officers on December 4, 2023, at an apartment on Jafar Khandan Street in the Binagadi district. I.I. confirmed that Azad Mammadli resided at the apartment and that, in the presence of the witnesses and the homeowner, the officers seized flash drives, mobile phones, laptop computers, business cards, and other materials.

The indictment alleges that Martin Ryan received instructions and engaged in activities aimed at obtaining information on weapons and ammunition produced in Azerbaijan, staffing of the Azerbaijani Army during the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, potential military contacts, individuals educated in French abroad, foreign nationals and entities in Azerbaijan, covert money transfers, international relations, military cooperation plans, and the import of weapons and ammunition into the country.

Both accused were arrested on December 4, 2023. Ryan, the general director of “Merkorama” LLC, faces charges under Article 276 (espionage) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. According to the indictment, he acted as an agent-spy for France’s DGSE (General Directorate for External Security), which later saw its officers expelled from Baku as persona non grata. Azad Mammadli, an Azerbaijani citizen, is charged under Article 274 (treason against the state).

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 2, 2026.

By Aghakazim Guliyev