Defence states violations in Yunus' trial in Azerbaijan

The Baku Court of Grave Crimes has completed the judicial investigation in the case of the rights defender Leyla Yunus and her husband Arif Yunus. Their defence has stated violations of the law in the course of the trial.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Arif Yunus and his wife Leyla Yunus, Director of the Institute of Peace and Democracy (IPD), are accused of economic crimes and treason. Both activists refuse to plead guilty.

After the end of the today's court session, Elchin Gambarov, the advocate of Leyla Yunus, has stated poor health condition of Arif Yunus.

"Arif could not even sit; a person in this state cannot be tried. I can't understand why they are in such a hurry? They can announce a break, improve his health and then try him," Gambarov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his story, the session examined documents – defendants' bank transfers and materials on implementation of grant projects. "The investigation has interpreted the contents of documents in favour of misappropriation of grants. We offered to invite additional witnesses – employees of donor organizations, who could help to establish the truth, but in vain. To be honest, in the conditions, when the court is running the trial in a hurry, despite the poor health of the defendant, by rejecting all the defence's motions, no positive outcomes of the trial can be expected. I think the prosecutor will ask for the maximum punishment; and the verdict will be severe," said the advocate Gambarov.

In her turn, Leyla Yunus demanded to postpone the trial and give time for medical treatment of Arif Yunus. She also demanded to disqualify the judge, who is considering the case.

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