# French prisoner freed as EU lifts Russian billionaire sanctions

> Azerbaijan releases a jailed Frenchman hours after the EU removes sanctions on two Russian oligarchs, angering Ukraine.
- Title: French prisoner freed as EU lifts Russian billionaire…
- Summary: Azerbaijan releases a jailed Frenchman hours after the EU removes sanctions on two Russian oligarchs, angering Ukraine. Azerbaijan freed French national…
- Keywords: martin ryan, azerbaijan, france, alisher usmanov, mikhail fridman, eu sanctions, russia, ukraine, ilham aliyev, espionage, news, world
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwp84rrrymd0o
- Published: 2026-09-23T14:32:42.589+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: martin ryan, azerbaijan, france, alisher usmanov, mikhail fridman, eu sanctions, russia, ukraine, ilham aliyev, espionage, news, world
## French spy suspect freed by Azerbaijan
Martin Ryan, a French national jailed for espionage, has been pardoned and released by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Ryan denied all charges.

> I did not spy. I am not a spy, and during the court case I tried to prove this.
## Release follows EU sanctions lift
Ryan's release came hours after the EU lifted sanctions on Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, both under embargo since 2022.
## France pushed for sanctions removal
France backed Slovakia's call to lift sanctions on Usmanov, citing national security concerns. Diplomats indicated France had pressed for the move.
## Ukraine condemns the decision
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said Moscow was celebrating because it got impunity, humiliation of the EU, and division among Europeans.

> Moscow was celebrating, because it got what it wanted: a sense of impunity, the humiliation of the EU, and division among Europeans.
## Latvia opposes but abstains
Latvia initially opposed the move but abstained, calling it dangerous and the wrong signal as Russian behaviour grows more aggressive. It will impose its own measures.

> It is dangerous and sends completely the wrong signal at a time when Russia's behaviour is becoming more aggressive.
## Second Frenchman remains imprisoned
Anass Derraz, another French national, remains jailed in Azerbaijan accused of accepting a Russian bribe. Ryan was one of twenty people pardoned by Aliyev.
## Key takeaway

Azerbaijan freed French national Martin Ryan from prison after the EU lifted sanctions on Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, prompting Ukrainian anger over the move.