ECHR to Announce Decision in Leyla, Arif Yunus Case

Baku / 10.07.20 / Turan: The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on July 16 will announce a decision on the cases of Azerbaijani human rights defenders Leyla and Arif Yunus.

Leyla Yunus, director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy, and Arif Yunus, director of a department of this NGO, who live in political emigration in the Netherlands appealed their pre-trial arrest in Azerbaijan, linking the criminal prosecution with criticism of the authorities.

The Yunus were detained in 2014 upon departure from the Baku airport. Searches were carried out in their office and apartment. During this, A. Yunus became ill, and he was hospitalized.

Azerbaijani courts ignored the spouses' complaints about the illegality of these actions. Following this, in August 2014, the Yunus were arrested on charges of fraud, tax evasion and misappropriation.

The charge of espionage in favor of Armenia was singled out in a separate proceeding, but never found a continuation.

A year later, Leyla and Arif Yunus were sentenced to 8.5 and 8 years in prison, respectively.

In their complaint to the ECHR, they ask to acknowledge a violation of their rights under Art. 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman treatment);

5 (right to liberty and security of person);

6 (right to a fair trial);

8 (right to respect for family life);

13 (right to an effective defense);

Art. 1 (ownership) of Protocol 1, Art. 2 (freedom of movement) of Protocol No. 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Freedoms.

The applicants consider that the reason for their persecution was their active citizenship and criticism of the government.

 They also request a violation of Art. 18 (The limits on the use of restrictions on rights), that is, the political motives for repression against them.

The ECHR is also in the process of considering another statement by the Yunus related to the merits of the criminal case against them.   –06D-