https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/azerbaijan-pardons-frenchman-after-eu-lifts-sanctions-on-russian-billionaireContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/azerbaijan-pardons-frenchman-after-eu-lifts-sanctions-on-russian-billionairehttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/azerbaijan-pardons-frenchman-after-eu-lifts-sanctions-on-russian-billionaire#u84703Sat, 26 Sep 2026 04:50:51 +0000Azerbaijan has pardoned French national Martin Ryan, who was jailed for spying, following the European Union's decision to remove Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list. France has welcomed the release and announced the beginning of a normalization process with Azerbaijan to improve bilateral ties. The EU's move to drop the sanctions has triggered backlash from Ukraine and other critics, while France reportedly blocked previous efforts to maintain sanctions against Usmanov.Why it mattersThe release of the French prisoner appears linked to the sh