Philanthropist, businessman and former Minister of State of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Ruben Vardanyan was arrested by the Azerbaijani military when leaving Artsakh along with thousands of other Armenians fleeing Azerbaijani occupation, authorities in Baku have now confirmed.

Vardanyan’s wife Veronika Zonabend confirmed the new earlier.

“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,” Zonabend said.

“I pray that my husband will be released unharmed and I ask for your support.”

On September 19, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, which left hundreds of Armenians killed and thousands of others displaced. On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to a ceasefire on Azerbaijan’s terms, including the dissolution of the Defense Army. So far, 47,715 displaced residents have already fled Nagorno-Karabakh and reached Armenia.