International relations between France and Azerbaijan have taken a turn for the worse. On 4 September, France released a formal travel advice telling all its citizens not to travel to Azerbaijan unless absolutely necessary.
“It is now not recommended unless there is a compelling reason for French nationals, including dual nationals, to travel to Azerbaijan. French nationals, including those with dual nationalities, whether resident or passing through, are exposed to a risk of arrest, arbitrary detention and unfair trial in Azerbaijan. This risk may particularly concern people making a simple tourist visit or a business trip. In the event of arrest or detention, respect for fundamental rights is not guaranteed”, reads the press release of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Moreover, according to the statement, if a French national were to be arrested, he or she faces several dangers. A person might be placed in pre-trial detention, or they might face a ban on leaving the country, the duration of which may extend over several months. Heavy prison sentences following trials that may not respect the rights of the defendant are also to be expected, according to the Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan has reacted to the statement. Aykhan Hajizada, Head of the ministry’s Press Service Department, condemns the “severe travel warning”.
“Such unfounded and biased judgment and statement by France reflect this country’s intention to deteriorate relations with Azerbaijan further. Allegations of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France that French citizens were unreasonably detained and imprisoned have no basis. This unfounded statement is a distortion of reality”, he stated.
France’s negative travel advice follows the arrest of Martin Ryan at the end of last year, a French national who was detained in Azerbaijan and charged with espionage.
“So far, only one citizen of the French Republic, Martin Ryan, has been detained in Azerbaijan on suspicion of committing an act (espionage) prohibited by Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Furthermore, it is well-known that another French citizen, Clerk Tego Hugo, has been detained for an act committed in the Baku Metro”, Hajizada continued.
The identity of one of the individuals arrested in Azerbaijan for alleged espionage activities in favor of the General Directorate of Foreign Intelligence of France is known.
— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) January 8, 2024
The person in question is a French citizen Martin Ryan, news agency APA reports, citing French… pic.twitter.com/kXVKFSnc5W
In his comment, the Head of the Press Service Department also accused France of leading a “smear campaign”. “On the other hand, it is apparent that the impediments placed by France on Azerbaijani journalists during their visits to France and even other Schengen countries are entirely in contradiction with the ‘human rights’ promoted by this country. Everyone is well aware of international law violations, neocolonial policy, racist, discriminatory, and Islamophobic activities, and human rights restrictions of France, which raises claims about judicial authority and human rights in Azerbaijan and attempts to teach the world a ‘lesson of democracy’. Therefore, it would be more beneficial for France to learn from such actions. We once again demand France to stop the smear campaign against Azerbaijan”, he concluded.
