
Azerbaijan pardons French national jailed for spying
The move comes after the EU lifts sanctions on oligarchs following what diplomats described as pressure from Baku.

The move comes after the EU lifts sanctions on oligarchs following what diplomats described as pressure from Baku.

Formula 1 heads to Baku this week for an unusually early Azerbaijan GP weekend, with all of the on-track action shifted forward by a day. Free practice begins on Thursday, qualifying takes place on Friday and the grand prix itself will be held on Saturday. The change was requested because Azerbaijan marks Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 27. Kimi Antonelli arrives in Baku firmly in ... Keep reading

Martin Ryan is pardoned months after he was jailed on charges of spying, but a second Frenchman remains in prison.

From centuries-old mugham to opera, jazz and traditional dance, Azerbaijan takes centre stage as the Montreux-Vevey festival celebrates its 80th anniversary.

Iraq, Oman and Azerbaijan join growing list of nations suspending air travel after Scott Bessent warns of further sanctions

Azerbaijan's President Aliyev pardoned French citizen Martin Ryan, jailed for espionage, as part of a deal in which France secured Usmanov's removal from the EU's Russia sanctions list. Ryan is expected to fly to Paris on Wednesday.

Ryan Martin had been convicted of espionage charges earlier this year.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday pardoned a French national imprisoned for espionage a day after the EU lifted sanctions on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov following what diplomats said was pressure from Baku.

Red Bull has confirmed it will field an unchanged Formula 1 driver line-up in 2027, with Isack Hadjar staying put alongside Max Verstappen. Hadjar stepped up in 2026 after a rookie season at sister team Racing Bulls, and has impressed with his speed in what has historically been a difficult second Red Bull seat. The Frenchman, who is making his return in Azerbaijan this weekend after ... Keep reading

Red Bull has confirmed it will field an unchanged Formula 1 driver line-up in 2027, with Isack Hadjar staying put alongside Max Verstappen. Hadjar stepped up in 2026 after a rookie season at sister team Racing Bulls, and has impressed with his speed in what has historically been a difficult second Red Bull seat. The Frenchman, who is making his return in Azerbaijan this weekend after ... Keep reading

The suspension of flights highlights escalating tensions, potentially leading to broader regional airspace restrictions and economic impacts.

Formula 1 returns to familiar ground this weekend as Azerbaijan celebrates its 10th anniversary of being on the calendar. The Baku street circuit first entered as the European Grand Prix in 2016 before running as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 2017, featuring every season bar the COVID-struck 2020 campaign. It has produced many memorable moments from Daniel Ricciardo’s mega win from 10th ... Keep reading

France succeeded in its push to remove Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list as part of a prisoner release with Azerbaijan. A second high-profile businessman, Mikhail Fridman, was also removed.

France succeeded in its push to remove Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list as part of a prisoner release with Azerbaijan. A second high-profile businessman, Mikhail Fridman, was also removed.
The French request would lift E.U. sanctions on Alisher Usmanov, whom the E.U referred to as “one of Vladimir Putin’s favorite oligarchs,” in a bid to free French citizens held in Azerbaijan.

Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar will return to action at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing three races with a wrist injury.

Isack Hadjar will return to Red Bull for this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku after recovering from a wrist injury, as Liam Lawson moves back to the Racing Bulls Formula 1 team. Hadjar had injured his wrist in training over the summer break and, following medical advice, was told to avoid driving to manage his recovery. Lawson therefore deputised for the Frenchman at Red Bull ... Keep reading