[JURIST] The detention of Azeri human rights activist Leyla Yunus, held without trial since July, will be extended an additional five months, her lawyer said Wednesday. Yunus is the head of the Baku-based Institute for Peace and Democracy. She is detained on charges of treason, espionage and tax evasion. Human rights activists criticize the Azerbaijani government of attempting to repress public dissent by jailing political activists. Her lawyer, Elchin Gambarov, will appeal the court ruling. The detention [Reuters report] has garnered public interest, and a Facebook page Leyla & Arif Yunus- Prisoners of Conscience [Facebook page} has been dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging action on behalf of the jailed activist.

The human rights situation in Azerbaijan has drawn heavy criticism from the UN and various rights groups. In October the Council of Europe [official website] called on [JURIST report] Azerbaijan to halt the arrest and detention of human rights activists in the country. In September the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [official website] suspended [JURIST report] its visit to Azerbaijan citing the government’s prevention of access to a number of locations where individuals are being detained. A report [World Report 2015: Azerbaijan] published by Human Rights Watch [advocacy website] reported escalating repression of political critics in 2014 by the Azerbaijani government.