Their attorney, Elchin Sadiqov, told APA that during the hearing presided over by judge Imran Hajigayibov on Monday, the cassation appeal was considered and Leyla and Arif Yunus were allowed to leave Azerbaijan.

The attorney added that because the appeal was considered quickly, they were the couple were not informed of the news.

Leyla and Arif Yunus have already arrived in Amsterdam.

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Azerbaijani human rights defender Leyla Yunus and his husband Arif Yunus have left the country, lawyer Elchin Sadigov wrote on his Facebook page.

“Leyla and Arif Yunus were allowed to leave the country. I talked to them in the evening. A doctor came to Azerbaijan to examine them. He again wrote down a reasoned opinion that they have serious health problems. They were allowed to leave the country for treatment,” Sadigov wrote.

The lawyer also mentioned that court proceedings will continue until they are acquitted.

Leyla and Arif Yunus departed to the Netherlands for treatment this morning, Sadigov told.

Leyla and Arif Yunus are charged under article 178.3.2 (swindle with causing damage in the large size) of the Criminal Code. On 13 August, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced Leyla Yunus to 8 years and 6 months in prison and Arif Yunus to 7 years in prison. The verdict also included the seizure of their property and transferring of their funds in their bank accounts to state account. The accused filed an appeal against the verdict.

At the hearing held on November 12, 2015, the Court of Appeal changed the pretrial detention. Arif Yunus was then released on recognizance not to leave. Then Arif Yunus was released from the courtroom.

On December 9, 2015, Baku Court of Appeal issued decision in connection with their appeal. According to the decision, 8.6-year imprisonment Leyla Yunus is sentenced to was declared conditional, with five years of probation. Her pretrial detention was annulled and she was released from the court room.

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