Azerbaijan: the Supreme Court will examine the appeal of Frenchman Martin Ryan on November 25

The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan will examine on November 25 the case of Martin Ryan, sentenced at the end of July on appeal to ten years in prison for "espionage", an accusation that the Frenchman contests, his father announced to AFP on Tuesday.

“Martin is determined to exhaust all legal avenues,” said Richard Ryan, adding that his son was currently incarcerated in Lankaran prison, 250 kilometers south of Baku, not far from the border with Iran. He was incarcerated in this modern prison, where criminals serving long sentences are held, following his conviction on appeal on July 29.

Found guilty of spying for Paris

The trial of this businessman, who had been living in Azerbaijan for four years at the time of his arrest in December 2023, began in January 2025. On March 16, 2026, he was found guilty of spying for the benefit of Paris, charges also rejected by the French government. Since his transfer to Lankaran, Martin Ryan has not received a consular visit but is allowed to speak with his father every week for 15 minutes.

“From what he told me recently, his conditions of detention are quite good,” explained Richard Ryan. “He is locked in his cell at night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. but the rest of the time, he can move around the prison grounds which are located between the sea and the mountains and which benefits from a certain comfort with air conditioning, canteens, gym,” he described. Martin Ryan, aged 38, received a medical examination upon his arrival.

“He seems to be doing well physically and mentally even though he is aware of being detained with dangerous criminals,” his father continued. “He is a solid, combative person,” he said, but “he hopes for a quick solution.” On July 30, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the confirmation on appeal of the “arbitrary conviction” of Martin Ryan and demanded “his release without delay”. According to the prosecution, Martin Ryan was recruited by members of the French intelligence services (Directorate General of External Security, DGSE) who worked at the French embassy in Baku. The latter were then expelled.