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"The terms of Leyla Yunus custody threaten her life seriously. The European Parliament calls for her immediate release. The European Parliament recognizes her courage and commitment to democratic values and expresses its support," Martin Schulz, the President of European Parliament said on November 26 in Strasbourg at the European Parliament, reports the Azerbaijani news agency "Turan".

As noted in the article, on November 26 in Strasbourg at the European Parliament the awarding ceremony of Sakharov Prize was held. Dr. Mukvege from Congo received this prestigious award. Speaking at the ceremony, the European Parliament President Martin Schulz welcomed also two other finalists who claimed for the prize - Ukrainian movement Euromaidan and human rights activist from Azerbaijan Leyla Yunus.

He further noted that the head of the Institute of Peace and Democracy Leyla Yunus has shown great courage defending human rights in Azerbaijan. "The European Parliament calls on the regime in Azerbaijan to immediately release the woman, whose health is fading with every day," said Schultz.

He also expressed his indignation at the fact that the Azerbaijani authorities were not allowed to Yunus delegation of the European Parliament. "We tried to send a delegation of the European Parliament, so that she could visit Leyla Yunus in prison, but they were not allowed. This is absolutely unacceptable that the Azerbaijani authorities continue to deny access to Leyla Yunus," said Schultz.

Human rights activist Leyla Yunus was arrested on 30 July in her house yard. She was charged with state treason, tax evasion, illegal entrepreneurship, falsification of documents and large-scale fraud. Charges of state treason and large-scale fraud were also brought against her husband Arif Yunusov. Based on these charges the court arrested Yunus for three months.