Baku, Azerbaijan, July 30
By Ilkin Izzet - Trend:
The director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy, human rights activist Leyla Yunusova and her husband Arif Yunusov have been charged with betrayal of the motherland, lawyer Javad Javadov said on July 30.
He said that Leyla Yunusova is charged on four articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 274 (betrayal of motherland), 178 (fraud), 213 (tax evasion), 192 (illegal business).
Arif Yunusov is charged on two articles: Article 274 (betrayal of motherland) and 178 (fraud), Javadov added.
Arif Yunusov gave a written undertaking not to leave the place, according to the lawyer.
Leyla Yunusova was taken to the Baku City Nasimi District Court for a preventive measure in the form of arrest.
Human rights activist Leyla Yunusova and her husband Arif Yunusov have been repeatedly summoned to give evidence as witnesses for the criminal case investigated by the Investigation Department for Grave Crimes of the Prosecutor General's Office. However, they deliberately avoided giving evidence.
Trying to evade the investigation, Leyla Yunusova and her husband attempted to leave Azerbaijan on April 28, but their attempt was foiled, the prosecutor's office said earlier.
The documents, found during the inspection of Leyla Yunusova's personal belongings, will be used as evidence, according to the Yasamal District Court of Baku city.
Searches were conducted at Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunusov's residence and work places.
Edited by CN