On 27 September, the State Border Service of Azerbaijan announced that Ruben Vardanyan, born in 1968, “entered the country illegally and worked as the State Minister of NKR”.

It is mentioned that he was arrested at Lachin checkpoint while leaving Azerbaijan for Armenia.

Vardanyan was transferred to Baku accompanied by members of the rapid response forces of the State Border Service.

“He was taken into custody and sent to the relevant state bodies to make a relevant decision,” the statement reads.

Earlier, Ruben Vardanyan’s wife, Veronika Zonabend, made a statement, which is presented below.

“My husband, Ruben Vardanyan, the philanthropist, businessman and former minister of state of Artsakh, has been arrested and held captive by the Azerbaijani authorities at the border as he attempted to leave this morning, along with thousands of Armenians escaping Azerbaijani occupation. Ruben stood with the Arsakh people during the 10-month blockade and suffered along with them in the struggle for survival. I ask for your prayers and support to ensure my husband’s safe release.”