Azerbaijan Pardons French Citizen Convicted as Spy After EU Removes Usmanov Sanctions

Azerbaijan has freed a French citizen who had been convicted on espionage charges, in what appears to be a diplomatic quid pro quo following the European Union's removal of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov from its sanctions list.

The French national, whose identity has not been officially disclosed, was convicted several months ago by Azerbaijani courts and sentenced to a lengthy prison term. French authorities had consistently denied the espionage allegations, calling the prosecution politically motivated.

The timing of the pardon — coming days after the EU announced it was lifting sanctions against Usmanov, whose assets include major European football clubs and real estate — has drawn attention from European diplomats and human rights observers who suspect a direct linkage.

Usmanov, who holds Russian and Uzbek citizenship and has close ties to the Kremlin, had been sanctioned by the EU following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The decision to delist him was met with criticism from Ukrainian officials who viewed it as rewarding oligarchs connected to the Russian government.

Azerbaijan, which has recently pursued a more assertive diplomatic posture toward the West, has denied any connection between the two events. French Foreign Ministry officials welcomed the release but also declined to comment on any alleged deal.