French Spy Convicted in Azerbaijan, Tensions Rise

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is Global News Today. A French national named Ryan has been convicted of spying on Azerbaijan's military and sentenced to 10 years in a maximum security prison. State media say he was also found guilty of trying to recruit French-speaking locals to work with French intelligence. He stood trial with an Azerbaijanian man named Azad Mahmedli, who got 12 years for treason. Doctors claimed Ryan worked with French security staff based at the embassy in Baku. They accused them of pulling in Mahmedli to connect with agents and scout recruits among Azerbaijanis and Russians at a university in Moscow. In court, Ryan denied all spying charges and said he acted without knowing the full picture. France has called the whole arrest arbitrary and pushed hard for his release. Both Ryan and French officials keep rejecting the allegations outright. This case highlights bigger strains between the two nations. Tensions spiked recently over France backing Armenia, Azerbaijan's rival.

1:01In November 2024, Azerbaijan's president accused France of human rights abuses in places like New Caledonia, where riots led to 13 deaths and 169 injuries during protests. Even so, leaders met in October and talked about clearing up past issues. Azerbaijan's president suggested those misunderstandings were behind them, though the spying verdict keeps things tense for now. Quick thanks to today's sponsor, see the description for more. Your bedtime ritual just got better. Built in sound, built in comfort, soll, iSoliPillow.com