The jailed human rights defender Arif Yunus is in grave condition and his blood pressure remains very high, reported his lawyer, Elchin Sadigov.
After meeting Arif Yunus at the treatment facility of the Penitentiary Service on November 3, Sadigov told reporters that Yunus suffers from third degree hypertension. He added that Arif Yunus has been transferred to the treatment unit upon the request of his German doctor, Christian Witt.
B a c k g r o u n d: Leyla and Arif Yunus were arrested in late July and early August 2014. Leyla Yunus was charged under articles 178.3.2 (large scale fraud), 192.2.2 (illegal entrepreneurship), 213.2.2 (tax evasion), 274 (treason), 320.1 and 320.2 (falsification of documents) of the Criminal Code. Arif Yunus was charged under articles 178.3.2 (large scale fraud) and 274 (treason). The prosecuting authority later decided to investigate the treason charges separately. Leyla and Arif Yunus were sentenced to 8.5 and 7 years in jail respectively by the Baku Grave Crimes Court on August 13, 2015.
Amnesty International has recognized Leyla and Arif Yunus as prisoners of conscience.