Ruben Vardanyan is a husband and a father to four children. His wife, Veronika Zonabend, is co-founder and chairman to the board of directors at UWC Dilijan in Armenia; serves on the board of trustees at UWC International (UK) and the American University of Armenia; and heads the board of directors at the Teach For Armenia educational foundation. Veronika has been a strong support for her husband, having closely engaged in philanthropic and social-entrepreneurial projects in Armenia and Russia.
Veronika and her children haven’t been able to see Ruben since his detention last year and are working hard to secure his release.
“My husband’s illegal imprisonment has been a tragedy for our family but also the community. He has always been a pillar of strength and kindness for us but also for many others, dedicating his life to humanitarian work and helping others. We were heartbroken to hear about the way he has been treated by Azerbaijani authorities, it goes against fundamental human rights and undermines the principles of international conventions. We plead for Ruben’s immediate release from his detention so he can be returned home to his family safely.”
Veronika Zonabend
Ruben Vardanyan’s wife
“A beacon of justice, Ruben followed in the courageous footsteps of our grandfather Hamayak, a survivor of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Inspired by his resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship, Ruben has dedicated his life to uplifting persecuted minorities and fostering hope around the world. His countless philanthropic projects, including the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, stand as testaments to his unwavering commitment to global humanitarian action.
Most recently, this dedication extended to Artsakh where he spent more than 9 months under blockade with his fellow compatriots prior to his unjust arrest and mistreatment by the brutal and dictatorial Azerbaijani government. His absence has created a gaping hole felt not only by our entire family, but by the countless communities who rely on his unwavering support and visionary leadership.
We urge his immediate release. His tireless work to create a kinder future for all cannot be silenced.”
Marine Ales
Ruben Vardanyan’s sister
TAKE ACTION
Ruben Vardanyan and the other political prisoners held in Baku have garnered significant support from across the world. You too can help by signing our petition and writing letters with the easy-to-use templates below.
TO DATE:
SIGN OUR PETITION
Thousands of signatories are already supporting the release of Ruben Vardanyan and all other illegally-detained Baku prisoners. Get involved.
Send a Physical Letter to Ruben
Sending a physical letter to Ruben is a heartfelt way to show your support. You can do that by following these steps:
1. Click the Receive Details button below. This will open your email client with a pre-filled request for instructions. Send this email as it is.
2. The Free Armenian Prisoners team will respond with all the necessary information for sending a physical letter to Ruben.
3. Once you have the details, use your local postal service to send the letter and cover any necessary postage fees.
Your words of support will mean a lot, and this gesture helps remind Ruben that people are standing with him.
SEND AN EMAIL TO RUBEN
Voice your support by writing to Ruben and his family. Although Ruben cannot receive letters in prison, he will be able to see your letters after his release. Submit your letter via lettertoruben@freearmenianprisoners.com or by clicking the link below.
If you wish to send a letter directly to Ruben while he is unlawfully detained in Baku, please refer to the detailed instructions provided in Section 2.
WRITE TO PRESIDENT ALIYEV
Share your concerns with President Aliyev using the optional letter template and address details in the link below.
WRITE TO YOUR AMBASSADOR IN BAKU
Click below to select your country and receive an email template and contact details for you to follow.
Write to Azerbaijan’s commissioner for human rights
You can express your thoughts to the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan using the optional letter template and address details in the link below.
Write to Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general’s office
You may submit a complaint to the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Please note that by clicking the button below, you will be redirected to the website of the Prosecutor General’s Office, where you will need to provide passport details to proceed with the complaint. If you prefer not to share this information with a government agency, we recommend refraining from clicking the button below.
Once you have submitted a complaint, kindly click the button below. This helps us keep track of the number of letters sent.
Reaching Out to Azerbaijani Officials with a Physical Letter
You can send a physical letter to either the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AZ 1000, Azerbaijan, Baku, 80 Uzeyir Hajibeyli Street, Gate N.2) or the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AZ 1001, Azerbaijan, Baku, 7 Nigar Rafibeyli Street). To do so, please use your country’s postal services and pay any required fees.
Once you have sent the letter, kindly click the confirmation button below. This helps us keep track of the number of letters sent
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WRITE TO YOUR AMBASSADOR IN BAKU
Please find a list of countries below that have an embassy in Azerbaijan. If your country is not on the list, then please feel free to reach out to the UN or the EU or an affiliate embassy of your choice. Alternatively, you can contact President Aliyev directly using the ‘Write to President Aliyev’ link. We appreciate your support.