Human Rights Watch stated that the Azerbaijani authorities should immediately release and stop the prosecution of Leyla and Arif Yunus, the elderly human rights defenders who are both in grave health, reported Contact.az news agency of Azerbaijan.

Arif Yunus’ blood pressure spiked on Monday, and he lost consciousness while standing trial in court. He received medical care during subsequent hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday, but his condition is poor.

“The decision to lock up and prosecute Leyla and Arif Yunus was already a travesty of justice, but to pursue the trial given their poor health is despicable” said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Bringing an elderly man who is so sick he can’t even sit up into a courtroom only exposes this farce for what it is – a political show trial.”

The arrest and trial of the couple are part of Azerbaijan’s fierce campaign of arrests, imprisonment, and intimidation against human rights defenders, independent journalists, bloggers, and opposition political activists.

“Leyla and Arif Yunus need medical care, not prison,” Williamson added. “Azerbaijan’s international partners should flatly and unanimously condemn this mockery of justice.”

According to the investigation hypothesis, Leyla Yunus had “received grants from international organizations, and under the name of implementing joint projects with an Armenian center.” Subsequently, and through her husband, Yunus had supposedly used these funds to “improve the financial condition of those whom she tried to recruit for espionage activities.” Leyla Yunus, however, refutes these charges.

The Yunus couple is accused of high treason, too, but this case has been separated.

Leyla and Arif Yunus each face twelve years in prison.