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 The French press published the letter of the Azerbaijani human rights activist Leyla Yunus, addressed to the French President Francois Oland. It states that an authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan, which is supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe ruins not only the future of the Azerbaijani people, but also the peaceful development of the entire South Caucasus, writes the Azerbaijani news agency "Turan".

“Dear Mr. President! France, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group for 20 years made great efforts for a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. And now it is you that organize in the near future a meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. I do not for a moment doubt in your ardent desire to reach a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. But how can we believe in the sincerity of Ilham Aliyev, in his desire for peace?” writes Yunus.

She also notes that Aliyev in Azerbaijan threw into prison the leading activists of public diplomacy. "Our Institute of Peace and Democracy since its foundation in 1995, has been working in the field of public diplomacy to achieve peace. In 2012, we created a unique joint Azerbaijani-Armenian site where open dialogue was conducted by representatives of civil society, journalists of the two countries, students, youth, who was born and raised in the context of the conflict...", says the human rights activist.

According to Yunus the supporters of a peaceful resolution of the conflict are accused of spying for Armenia. "On April 19 this year, was arrested on charges of spying for Armenia a prominent journalist, activist of public diplomacy Rauf Mirkadyrov. On July 30 I was arrested, and on August 5, my husband Arif was. May 12 this year, I had the opportunity to see you at the Embassy of France in the course of your visit to Baku I naively believed that the leaders of Western democracies will make efforts to prevent and stop the wave of repression that has ensued in Azerbaijan. I do not know how long my health will allow me to remain in a solid mind and memory, are in prison they are doing their best to destroy me ... but I hope that my letter will be heard. Mr. Hollande, when at a meeting you will shake hands with President Aliyev, remember the blood and tears of hundreds of human rights activists, including the blood of my family.
Note that the human rights activist Yunus was arrested on July 30 in the courtyard of his house. She was charged with treason, tax evasion, illegal business, forgery and fraud on a large scale. Her husband Arif Yunusov is also accused of treason and fraud on a large scale. On the basis of these allegations the court arrested Yunus for three months.