The Baku Court on Grave Crimes has continued hearings in the high-profile espionage trial of Martin Ryan, accused of spying for France, and Azad Mammadli, charged with treason.
During the session chaired by Judge Elmin Rustamov, prosecutors presented Mammadli’s earlier testimony given to investigators. He admitted to contacting French embassy staff, including Frédéric Devos, and sending him his résumé with hopes of securing employment in a French company.
According to case files, Ryan told Mammadli in private correspondence that a French diplomat, Laurent Leudy, gifted him a keyboard and mouse, claiming the embassy had excess equipment.
Mammadli later testified he grew suspicious the devices might contain hidden surveillance tools, describing it as a turning point in his perception of French diplomats: “I realized they saw us not as friends but as sources of information.”
The exchanges also revealed Ryan’s concerns that his home might be bugged, prompting Mammadli to warn him that even secretly recording his words could be considered treason.
Investigators allege the two men also discussed potential French intelligence efforts, including an attempt by officer Laurent Grard to obtain details about Azerbaijani counter-terror operations in Karabakh via the encrypted app Signal.
Other conversations reportedly touched on Azerbaijan’s relations with Iran and the United States, as well as the possible consequences of closing the USAID office in Baku.
The court will reconvene on October 24 for the next hearing.
