Azerbaijan rejects French accusations of Martin Ryan's illegal detention

Baku/10.01.24/Turan: The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has rejected the statement of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs on the arbitrary detention of French citizen Martin Ryan.

The French Foreign Ministry told Agence France-Presse that a French citizen was arbitrarily arrested in Azerbaijan and demanded his immediate release.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizadeh called Paris' claims "groundless" and accused Paris of "distorting reality and attempting to interfere in Azerbaijan's internal affairs."

It must be recalled that Riyan was taken into custody on 4 December 2023 on suspicion of espionage (Article 276 of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code) and arrested for 4 months during the investigation.

Hajizadeh emphasised that the actions taken by Azerbaijan fully comply with the national legislation and international obligations.  The consular section of the French Embassy has visited Ryan several times since his arrest and been informed about the details of the criminal case.

Despite Azerbaijan's diplomatic efforts, the French side refused to provide any explanation or co-operate in the investigation. Therefore, two French Embassy officials allegedly linked to the case were declared persona non grata in December 2023.

" We once again urge the French side to stop interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs and investigative activities," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a commentary. -0-