Azerbaijan–France Relations

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Graffiti on Baku Metro painted by Théo Clerc. Via social media.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan sentences French national to three years in prison for spray painting train

by Xandie (Alexandra) Kuenning

•3 min read

Azerbaijan has sentenced a French citizen to three years in prison for spray painting a Baku metro car, as diplomatic relations between Baku and Paris remain tense. On 10 September, the Narimanov District Court in Baku sentenced Théo Clerc to three years in prison for painting the train carriage at the Baku metro depot. Australian citizen Paul Han and New Zealand citizen Ismael De-Saint Quentin were fined ₼6,800 ($4,000) each for the same charge. The harsh sentencing of Clerc compared to

Rashid Beglaryan during his trial. Image via news.az

Armenia

Baku court sentences Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian to 15 years imprisonment

by Arshaluys Barseghyan

•1 min read

An Azerbaijani court on Friday sentenced Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian Rashid Beglaryan to 15 years imprisonment, on charges including ‘committing genocide’. The charges against Beglaryan, 62, included ‘committing genocide and terrorism against Azerbaijanis in Khojaly’. According to Turan, the verdict noted that Beglaryan will serve the first five years of his sentence in a general regime prison and the remainder in a strict regime penitentiary. The charges against him also reportedly inclu

Abbas Abbasov, the head of the Baku Initiative Group, addresses the conference. Photo: Azertac.

Azerbaijan

Baku-linked group hosts conference on European colonialism at UN HQ

by Aytan Farhadova

•3 min read

An Azerbaijani government-linked initiative has organised a conference against European colonialism at the UN Headquarters in New York. The Baku Initiative Group, which appears to have links to the Azerbaijani government, held its conference on 20 June. Azerbaijani state news agency Azertag reported that the conference was attended by officials and representatives from territories colonised by France and the Netherlands, including Corsica, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Polyne

Azerbaijan

France accuses Azerbaijan of supporting riots in New Caledonia

by Aytan Farhadova

•2 min read

France has accused Azerbaijan of supporting rioters against French rule in New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific. The Guardian quoted French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin as saying this was ‘a reality’. ‘I regret that some of the Caledonian pro-independence leaders have made a deal with Azerbaijan. It’s indisputable’, Darmanin said. Azerbaijani media reported that the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) had organised a video conference on Thursday, attended by representativ

Baku French Lyceum. Image via the school’s website.

Armenia–Azerbaijan Conflict

French school to close in Baku amidst diplomatic tensions

by Aytan Farhadova

•1 min read

A French school in Baku is closing, as tensions between France and Azerbaijan rise. The Baku French Lyceum (BFL) will cease to function from the end of the current school year. The Lyceum’s education advisor, Gulshan Naghizade, told OC Media that the decision was driven in part by an order from the Education Ministry, but also in part by a decision of the school’s founder. Information about the school’s closing was first published on Friday in pro-government outlet Report.az. On Tues

French President Emmanuel Macron and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Image via president.az.

Armenia

France recalls ambassador to Azerbaijan

by Yousef Bardouka

•1 min read

France has recalled their ambassador to Azerbaijan, with Paris accusing Baku of damaging their bilateral relations. On Tuesday, France’s Foreign Ministry stated that President Emmanuel Macron had received Ambassador Anne Boillon in Paris to discuss Azerbaijan’s ‘continuation of unilateral actions damaging to relations between our two countries’. The ministry stated that Macron had called for clarification from Azerbaijan on its ‘intentions’. Asked about France’s withdrawal of its ambassado

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Image via Azertaj.

Armenia

Baku and Paris expel diplomats amid diplomatic turmoil

by Ismi Aghayev

•1 min read

Azerbaijan and France expelled several of each other’s diplomats this week as tensions between the two countries reach their highest. On Thursday, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov accused France of stirring a diplomatic crisis with his country. This came after Azerbaijan expelled two French diplomats on Tuesday for actions ‘incompatible with their diplomatic status and which contradicted the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations’. Azerbaijan did not elaborate on what tho