Background

Following years of violations of ceasefire and intimidation against Armenian civilians, Azeri military forces used massive force in September 2020 to invade and occupy two-thirds of Nagorno-Karabakh. In September 2023, Azeri military forces took over the remaining territory, contradicting previously agreed-to negotiations and statements (OSCE peace negotiations, trilateral statements 2020,2021).

As a result, there was a mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of Armenians from the capital city (Stepanakert), during which the Azeri government arrested eight former members of the Republic’s government and advocates for the self-determination of Artsakh. Those detained include Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian businessman and philanthropist who served as the State Minister of the Artsakh government.

Mr. Vardanyan and the seven others join over 50 Armenians arrested during the conflict, some of whom have been held for years by Azerbaijan. The negligible information on the health and well-being of these prisoners is deeply concerning.

Meet Ruben Vardanyan

In addition to being the State Minister of the Artsakh government, Ruben Vardanyan is an influential Armenian business leader, social entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Together with his family and partners from around the world, Ruben has driven more than $1.5 billion toward advancing economic development, addressing humanitarian challenges, and supporting global education initiatives.

His most significant philanthropic projects include the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, SKOLKOVO Business School, Philin Philgood group of companies, UWC Dilijan International College, Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST), “Wings of Tatev” cable car, Matena International School of Leadership and Professional Development, and the “Aurora for Artsakh” program to support residents of the Republic of Artsakh.

Ruben Vardanyan

The Case Against Mr. Vardanyan

Mr. Vardanyan has been charged with financing terrorism, although the legal situation for him and the others remains unclear and lacks transparency. The charges levied against him are considered completely unsubstantiated and are seen as an act of political retribution.

For this reason, it appears Azerbaijan is holding him as a political prisoner, hindering his ongoing projects and suppressing a voice advocating for progressive and positive change.

Mr. Vardanyan and the others detained in Baku have garnered a tremendous rally of support from the humanitarian and human rights community, as well as political leaders in the U.S., Europe, and the United Nations. The international community is asking for his immediate and unconditional release.

The History of Nagorno-Karabakh

For many centuries Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh to Armenians, has been inhabited by Armenians. It was once an autonomous oblast within the Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, declaring independence in 1991. Since then, Azeri and local Armenian forces have clashed in prolonged conflicts with many casualties.

On September 19, 2023, Azeri forces seized the capital city, leading to Nagorno-Karabakh to disband it’s forces and institutions in the region. The majority of Nagorno-Karabakh’s 120,000 Armenian inhabitants fled to Armenia, creating a significant refugee crisis for Armenia, which now must care for the displaced population.

In October 2023, Armenia informed the International Court of Justice about the ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The International Court of Justice declared that Azerbaijan must adhere to with the following measures:

“(i) ensure that persons who have left Nagorno-Karabakh after 19 September 2023 and who wish to return to Nagorno-Karabakh are able to do so in a safe, unimpeded and expeditious manner;
(ii) ensure that persons who remained in Nagorno-Karabakh after 19 September 2023 and who wish to depart are able to do so in a safe, unimpeded and expeditious manner; and
(iii) ensure that persons who remained in Nagorno-Karabakh after 19 September 2023 or returned to Nagorno-Karabakh and who wish to stay are free from the use of force or intimidation that may cause them to flee”; and to
“protect and preserve registration, identity and private property documents and records that concern the persons identified under subparagraph (1) and have due regard to such documents and records in its administrative and legislative practices”.

Help Free Ruben Vardanyan

Join the international community in calling for Ruben Vardanyan’s release alongside the other Armenians being held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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Background

Meet Ruben Vardanyan

The Case Against Mr. Vardanyan

The History of Nagorno-Karabakh

Help Free Ruben Vardanyan

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