14 months in captivity: chronicle of Ruben Vardanyan’s detention

On the eve of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Ruben Vardanyan’s defenders tried to draw the attention of the international community to the Armenian captives and once again stated the need for their fast release. Before the summit, prayer services were held in Christian churches around the world in support of the social entrepreneur and other former state officials of Artsakh.

Nigerian-American journalist, writer and publisher Dele Olojede, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 2005 for his coverage of the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, recently spoke in defense of Ruben Vardanyan. The journalist believes that if the U.S., EU and African countries demand that Azerbaijan release Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenians, Baku will be forced to give in.

In November, Ruben Vardanyan’s eldest son David told The Armenian Report in a large interview how his father helped the residents of Artsakh during the blockade. David also recalled that it is necessary to talk as much as possible about political prisoners in order to increase pressure on Azerbaijan. The article calling on foreign politicians to fight for Ruben’s release was also published in the French magazine Le Journal du Dimanche.

The Skolkovo School of Management did not stand aside. Its students and alumni have launched the “1000 Letters of Support” campaign: flash mob participants want to send 1000 letters with warm words to the founder of their alma mater.

While Ruben remains in captivity, his project “Wings of Tatev” was recognized as the best ropeway in the world for the third time. The ropeway in the Syunik Region won the prestigious international award World Travel Awards 2024. Previously, “Wings of Tatev” has already been recognized as the best ropeway on the planet in 2021 and 2023.