Azerbaijan rejects French accusations of discriminatory treatment in detention case

Azerbaijan has strongly rejected France’s claims of “arbitrary and discriminatory treatment” concerning a French citizen, Theo Clerc, who was sentenced to three years in prison for vandalism in Baku. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry called the allegations “unacceptable” and accused France of making “groundless” claims about the legal process.

Clerc was convicted on September 10 for spraying graffiti on the Baku metro. While two other individuals involved, who were of different nationalities, received fines, Clerc’s sentence has drawn sharp criticism from France. “France condemns the arbitrary and discriminatory treatment of which our fellow citizen is the victim,” said a spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry in a statement on Thursday.

In response, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada pushed back against the accusations, highlighting France’s own alleged shortcomings. “Everyone is well aware of international law violations, neocolonial policy, racist, discriminatory, and Islamophobic activities, and human rights restrictions of France,” Hajizada said.

Relations between Paris and Baku have been strained for years, fueled by France’s support for Armenia, Azerbaijan’s regional rival, particularly over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Tensions escalated after Azerbaijan regained control of Nagorno-Karabakh following the 2020 war, leading to the displacement of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians.

Azerbaijan has also accused France of meddling in its internal affairs and stoking unrest in its overseas territories, including New Caledonia, which experienced deadly riots earlier this year. In July, Baku hosted a two-day congress of separatist movements from French territories, further souring relations between the two nations. The congress established an “International Front for the Liberation of French Colonies,” accusing France of racism and repression.

Amid these tensions, France has advised its citizens and dual nationals to avoid traveling to Azerbaijan unless absolutely necessary, citing the risk of “arbitrary detention and unfair court proceedings.” This follows not only the case of Theo Clerc but also the detention of another French citizen, Martin Ryan, who is currently accused of espionage. Paris has categorically rejected these allegations.