On December 3, 2015, the UN Human Rights Committee granted an urgent application on behalf of Irina Zakharchenko and asked the government of Azerbaijan to transfer her immediately from jail to “house arrest or other adequate alternative.” Concern for her deteriorating health prompted the urgent request.

Irina Zakharchenko and another Witness, Valida Jabrayilova, have been held in pretrial detention for ten months. On December 10, 2015, the Baku Pirallahi District Court will begin hearing the case against both women on the charge of allegedly violating the criminal code by sharing religious literature and their beliefs “without permission.”