21:50, 30 July 2014

Azerbaijani rights defender Leyla Yunus arrested for three months

Leyla Yunus. Photo by Aziz Karimov for the "Caucasian Knot"

On Wednesday, July 30, the Nasimi District Court in Baku ruled to arrest Leyla Yunus, a human rights activist and Director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD), who is accused of treason, for three months. Her defence treats the ruling and the charge as unjustified and intends to appeal against the ruling.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in the morning on July 30, Leyla Yunus was detained in the yard of her house in Baku and delivered to the Investigating Department for Grave Crimes of the General Prosecutor's Office (GPO). Her husband is currently under surveillance of the police.

"The investigation failed to present even primary evidence of her guilt. The trial was formal; and the court disregarded arguments of the defence," said Djavad Djavadly, Leyla's advocate.

The Public Alliance "Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners" has resolutely condemned the arrest of Leyla Yunus and the prosecution of Arif Yunus.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent