19.04.2016

Press release: Leyla and Arif Yunus can leave Azerbaijan

EP’s Foreign Affairs Committee MEP Elmar Brok (EPP, DE) welcomed the  permission granted by the Azeri authorities to Leyla and Arif Yunus to leave Azerbaijan to receive the necessary medical support under the most suitable conditions. Their case was followed very closely, also as Sakharov Prize nominees.

“This, for me, is a very important and a compassionate step, as the health of the Leyla and Arif Yunus has been a matter of concern to us over the last year”, said Mr Brok.

“I thank the Azerbaijani authorities for their constructive cooperation in this case, and this positive step comes in the framework of the recent re-engagement and strengthening of relations with Azerbaijan”, said Brok.

„I would like to thank in particular Dr Christian Witt, of the Charité hospital in Berlin, for undertaking the medical visits, as well as the EU and German Ambassadors in Baku, the EU delegation in Baku for their assistance, and the European Commission and the EEAS for their cooperation“, Mr Brok concluded.