French citizen Martin Ryan, on trial in Baku for espionage alongside Azerbaijani citizen Azad Mammadli, admitted his ties to French intelligence but claimed he was drawn into spying through abuse of trust.
During the trial, he stated that he initially came to Azerbaijan for business and established contacts with the French Embassy, where he unknowingly met intelligence officers.
Ryan revealed that these agents, operating under diplomatic cover, attempted to recruit him and Mammadli to gather information on Russia and Iran. Despite refusing dangerous tasks, he maintained contact, believing their assurances of safety. However, after their arrest, the French government did not assist them.
Ryan criticised France for abandoning him, highlighting that French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed French intelligence chief Bernard Emié, signaling a failed operation. He also noted that deported embassy agents ignored investigation summonses, and French media remained silent until his father intervened.
Blaming the French government for his situation, Ryan lamented the loss of his job, projects, and personal plans.
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One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a fresh attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Pakistan has called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to crack down on militants operating from Afghan territory, warning that cross-border attacks pose a growing threat to regional security.
Saudi Arabia has vowed to remain resilient after a wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks killed around 20 people at Riyadh's main airport, raising concerns over the kingdom's air defences and disrupting flights across the region.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign and ratify their peace agreement as soon as possible, calling it a crucial step towards securing his country's long-term stability.
Georgia is seeking to join the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan transport route as part of efforts to boost trade and strengthen access to international markets. The country is also investing in transport infrastructure and deepening economic ties with Uzbekistan.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
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