The USDepartment of State issued the following statement on its website:

“Thecriminal charges levied against prominent human rights defender Leyla Yunus andher husband Arif Yunus on July 30 are deeply concerning and represent a furtherrestriction on peaceful civil society activities in Azerbaijan.

“Ms. Yunusis being held in pre-trial detention despite a serious health condition. Mr.Yunus also has a serious health problem and is under house arrest. Thesecharges appear to be connected with their participation in constructivepeople-to-people programs that aim to ease tensions and build confidence in theregion.

“We urgethe Government of Azerbaijan to respect the universal rights of its citizens,ensure they are afforded all the fair trial guarantees to which all citizensare entitled, and allow them to freely express their views in accordance withinternational human rights commitments and obligations.”

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