The wife of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan confirmed his detention

Veronica Zonabend issued a statement, which was distributed by representatives of the businessman.

“This morning, my husband, Ruben Vardanyan, philanthropist, businessman and former Minister of State of the Republic of Artsakh, was arrested and captured by Azerbaijani authorities at the border while attempting to leave Artsakh along with thousands of other Armenians fleeing Azerbaijani occupation. Throughout the ten months of the blockade, Ruben stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Artsakh, endured hardships and fought for survival with them. I pray that my husband will be released unharmed and ask for your support.”

Azerbaijan considers Vardanyan guilty of separatism (the development of the statehood of Artsakh); he was on the list of figures whom the country demanded to extradite before the opening of the humanitarian corridor.