Arif Yunus and Leyla Yunus were arrested in July 2014 and subsequently accused of a range of serious offenses including tax evasion, falsification of documents, and illegal business activities.
The court in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, was convened on August 3rd 2015. Some international observers and journalists were not allowed to enter the courtroom as only a few interpreters for the representatives of foreign embassies were granted access. New allegations were also held against the two convicts – treason and espionage for Armenia, both of which led to much higher penalties.
Both Leyla and Arif’s health conditions have been deteriorating in detention. Arif, during the court hearings, fainted as a result of high blood pressure. In April 2014, he suffered two strokes and his family feared that he might have another stroke after the August 3rd incident. Leyla was diagnosed with diabetes and hepatitis C, as well as impaired vision in her left eye. Neither Arif nor Leyla were given proper medical treatment during their imprisonment.
Amnesty International believes that the charges against Leyla and Arif are a response to their work in the field of human rights as well as their criticism of the Azerbaijani government. Amnesty International has been calling on the Azerbaijani authorities to comply with the international obligations concerning the protection of freedom of expression, association, and assembly. Dissenting voices in the country frequently face criminal charges, physical assault, harassment, blackmail, and other reprisals. Law enforcement officials regularly use torture and other ill-treatment against detained civil society activists.
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Calling on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Arif Yunus and Leyla Yunus, and to drop all charges against them.
Urging the authorities to ensure that Arif Yunus and Leyla Yunus promptly receive all the necessary medical treatment, and, pending their release, are transferred to a hospital if necessary.
Dear president,
I am requesting your attention to the case of Azerbaijani human rights defender Leyla Yunus and her husband Arif Yunus have been sentenced to eight-and-a-half and seven years in prison, respectively, on 13 August. International observers and journalists were refused entry to the court.
Both were convicted for “fraud” and other crimes related to their NGO work. Leyla Yunus is the director of the Institute of Peace and Democracy and before her arrest had been documenting the treatment of political prisoners in Azerbaijan by the authorities.
I believe the charges against the couple were clearly fabricated in retaliation to their legitimate human rights work and criticism of the Azerbaijani government.
With respect to the above-mentioned facts, I ask you to provide:
Immediately and unconditionally release Arif Yunus and Leyla Yunus as they are prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely for their legitimate human rights work and criticism of the government;
Ensure that Arif Yunus and Leyla Yunus urgently receive all necessary medical treatment, and, pending their release, are transferred to hospital if required;
Full respect for, and protection of, the right to freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter, your help is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
