In Azerbaijan, one of advocates is withdrawn from protection of rights of Leyla Yunus

In Azerbaijan, Djavad Djavadov, one of the advocates of arrested rights defender Leyla Yunus, has been withdrawn from the defence. According to him, investigators have motivated the withdrawal by the fact that he is involved in the case against Leyla Yunus as a witness. On October 29, Djavad Djavadov reported on the above on his Facebook page.

"Following the request of Mr Hollande (the advocate refers to the request of French President Francois Hollande concerning Leyla Yunus voiced at his meeting with the Azerbaijani leader held in Paris on October 27, note of the "Caucasian Knot"), I was withdrawn from the protection of the rights of Leyla Yunus by the prosecutor's decision, and later, I was interrogated as witness," Djavad Djavadov has noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Leyla Yunus was detained on July 30 in Baku and charged, together with her husband Arif Yunus, under several articles, including treason.

In his telephone conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, the advocate has confirmed the information about his withdrawal from the protection of the rights of Leyla Yunus. He has added that occurred on October 28.

The advocate has called the prosecutor's decision "unfounded and aimed at weakening the defence of Leyla Yunus." Djavad Djavadov made no other comments.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 24, the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRDIC) nominated Leyla Yunus for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 and urged the Azerbaijani authorities to release her from prison.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.