Human rights defender Arif Yunusov released with conditions!

04/12/2015

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On 12 November, the Baku Grave Crimes Court approved the request to change the measure of restraint against Mr. Arif Yunusov from detention to conditional release, for the period of appeal trial. Under the terms of the court decision, Mr. Yunusov cannot leave Baku. The decision was based on a medical reference provided by the Head of the Department of Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice, stressing the critical health situation of Mr. Yunusov. The Baku Grave Crimes Court could review its decision anytime, in case of a "positive change" in the health of Mr. Yunusov.

FIDH welcomes this long-awaited decision concerning Mr. Yunusov, which had been denied on several occasions over the past months in spite of his deteriorating health.

"As the next hearing in the trial of the Yunus couple is scheduled for Monday 7 December in Baku, we hope that a similar measure will be granted to our colleague Leyla Yunus, as a first step to the unconditional release of both human rights defenders."

FIDH Honorary President Souhayr Belhassen

Over the past months, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (FIDH-OMCT) has closely monitored the trial of Leyla Yunus and Arif Yunusov through international missions of judicial observation, public statements, and advocacy.