Just now, Ramis Yunus, a well-known political expert, and also a family member (brother of Arif Yunus) commented on the arrest of Leyla Yunus and the court’s decision for a house arrest of Mrs. Yunus’ husband, Arif Yunus in an interview with Meydan TV.
“I am fully aware of what is happening in Azerbaijan. In fact, I am just coming out from the US Helsinki Commission meeting where the following
statement
was released on the arrest of my sister-in-law Leyla Yunus” said Mr. Yunus.
(WASHINGTON, DC) The Government of Azerbaijan has arrested Ms. Leyla Yunus, Director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy in Azerbaijan, and her husband, Arif Yunus, and charged them with high treason, tax evasion and other economic crimes. In response, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Co-Chairman of the Commission, issued the following statement:
“The charges filed against the Yunus’s are outrageous. Both Leyla and Arif are long-time supporters of people-to-people contact with Armenia, and the charge of espionage against them is absurd. We urge the Government of Azerbaijan to drop the charges and to stop the coordinated campaign aimed at the opposition, civil society and journalists in Azerbaijan who are peacefully exercising their right to freedom of speech and freedom of association.”
In addition Mr. Yunus requested that we pass along the following message:
“Everyone with a conscious mind in Azerbaijan and in the world understands, that the pursuit of my family members Leyla and Arif Yunus is nothing but an order and is instigated personally by Ilham Aliyev. And so, I would like to warn in advance, all those so called corrupted “rights defenders” who have entrenched themselves inside the opposition camp, to refrain from shedding crocodile tears in defense of my family members. Azerbaijan is a small country, and everyone knows who you are and what you do. You may continue lying about Ilham and his government’s humanism. You may continue telling tales of amnesties-to-come during some holiday celebrations. But don’t you dare to get anywhere near the topic of defense of my family members! I am certain, you have heard me!”
