The family of former Minister of State of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan, imprisoned in Azerbaijan, is deeply concerned about his condition after starting a hunger strike, his son Davit Vardanyan told CNN.
“He used to call my mother once a week, but he hasn’t contacted me since he started the hunger strike. After two weeks of silence, he contacted his sister the other day and informed her that he is in solitary confinement, that is, the conditions of his imprisonment have become more strict after the hunger strike,” said Davit Vardanyan.
In response to the famous CNN anchor Christian Amanpour’s question whether Vardanyan hinted that his life might be in danger, Davit Vardanyan stated that he does not rule it out.
Amanpour reminded that Vardanyan is considered one of the close associates of the Russian president, and is also on Ukraine’s list of sanctioned persons, and asked if it is possible that he is now being persecuted by people who had political disagreements with Vardanyan. Davit Vardanyan, not answering the question directly, reminded that his father started to engage in politics “only after 120 thousand Armenians living in Artsakh were left completely alone, after which he, risking his and his family’s safety, moved to Artsakh”.
- Ruben Vardanyan, imprisoned in Baku, has been on hunger strike for 20 days now, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of himself and other Armenian prisoners illegally held in Baku.
- The former state minister of Artsakh was arrested by Azerbaijani border guards at the Hakari bridge checkpoint after the Azerbaijani attack on Artsakh and its dissolution. Baku accuses Vardanyan of “funding of terrorism, creation of illegal armed groups and illegal crossing of the Azerbaijani border”.
- Ruben Vardanyan announced in September 2022 that he renounces his Russian citizenship and moves to Artsakh. In November 2022, he was appointed Minister of State of Artsakh. He ruled for only three months, in February 2023 he was relieved of his post.