I am deeply concerned about the reports relating to the detention of Leyla Yunus and the opening of a prosecution case against her husband, Arif Yunus, who are both well-known human rights defenders in Azerbaijan.

I conveyed my concerns and asked for further information and clarification of this case in a telephone conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Mr Elnur Mammadyarov.

I expect that the ongoing enquiry by the judicial authorities into the alleged actions of these two prominent civil society representatives will meet the required Council of Europe standards.