French citizen, co-defendant challenge verdict in Baku espionage case

The appellate proceedings in the criminal case initiated by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS), involving Martin Ryan—convicted of espionage on behalf of France—and Azad Mammadli, convicted of high treason, have commenced.

The preliminary hearing at the Baku Court of Appeal, presided over by Judge Murad Mammadov, reviewed the defendants’ personal details and examined the arguments presented in the appeal, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

An interpreter was provided for Martin Ryan during the hearing.

The next court session has been scheduled for June 25.

To note, the Baku Court for Grave Crimes sentenced Martin Ryan to 10 years in prison and Azad Mammadli to 12 years in prison.

According to the investigation, Ryan received assignments to collect information on weapons and ammunition produced in Azerbaijan, the staffing of the Azerbaijani army during the 2020 44-day Patriotic War, active and former military personnel who could potentially be recruited, individuals educated abroad in the French language, foreign citizens and legal entities operating in Azerbaijan, as well as possibilities for organizing covert money transfers and issues related to military cooperation between Azerbaijan and several countries.

Ryan also arranged a meeting in Baku between Azad Mammadli and officers of the French intelligence services, where Mammadli was promised foreign citizenship in exchange for cooperation. 

The defendants were arrested on December 4, 2023. According to investigators, Ryan, who served as CEO of Merkorama LLC, had been recruited by officers of France's external intelligence agency (DGSE) and was used as an agent. Subsequently, DGSE personnel were expelled from Baku and declared persona non grata.

Ryan was charged under Article 276 (Espionage) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, while Mammadli was charged under Article 274 (High Treason).

By Vafa Guliyeva