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Anna Mongait, journalist

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“The Azerbaijani military has detained Ruben Vardanyan, a businessman whose humanitarian ideas fascinated me some time ago. He and his wife Veronika invested $100 million of their own money in an international school in Dilijan. We filmed them and the creation of this modern school for the Patrons program. I found another fact quite intriguing back then: Ruben and Veronica decided not to leave any monetary inheritance to their children, and rather, decided to create a better world for them, one they could influence with educational projects.”

Ilya Fomintsev, surgeon, oncologist, founder of the Ne Naprasno Medical Solutions Foundation

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“I wish Ruben Vardanyan a quick release — and to be freed of all troubles. We met personally several times for various reasons in Moscow and Yerevan before and after the outbreak of the war. He is a visionary focused mainly on fascinating social development concepts: overall he is very sociocentric and proactive. I’m not completely familiar with his story, but he acted very decently during the contacts we had. In my opinion, his release is in both Azerbaijan’s and Armenia’s interests. Ruben can do a world of good for peace and development in Armenia.”

Nyuta Federmesser, public figure, Vera Foundation founder

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“I support Ruben Vardanyan with all my heart. In my eyes he is a national hero. And while I believe that no land is worth human lives, the struggle for the right to live on their own land is what allowed many people to survive; Jews and Armenians, most of all. Ruben, a personal acquaintance and, in a way, mentor, has been arrested. He is in Baku. I hope that the Baku authorities will have the nobility and generosity to let him go. I send him a warm embrace. I am with him and those, whose rights he had been defending so courageously during these long months.”

Tina Kandelaki, producer and journalist

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“As of now, he is only accused of financing terrorists, but as we all know, these accusations can pile up indefinitely. The move is completely political. In fact, they took him hostage. We all know that Ruben is not only a symbol of the Armenian people’s strength, but has long been a pillar of Russian policy in the Caucasus. And to Azerbaijan, he symbolizes everything they are fighting against: Armenian independence, perseverance, unrestrained energy.”

Evgeny Kogan, investment banker

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“Ruben Vardanyan has been detained. As I understand, he was heading for Armenia. I really hope that Ruben will be fine, I am sincerely worried about him. Ruben is an extraordinary person who has done a lot for the Russian stock market; he was there at the beginning. He is someone I can proudly call my friend, someone I trust. By the way, a few months ago, I recorded an interview with Ruben about Nagorno-Karabakh. I am following the news closely.”

Ruben Vardanyan speaks to his wife and asks her to take care of those in need

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The detained philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan phoned his wife and told her that he was in a “normal” condition. According to Vardanyan’s son David, his father asked his wife to take care of all afflicted residents of Artsakh.

“He said he missed us. We miss him too,” David Vardanyan added.

Details: https://ru.armeniasputnik.am/20231012/

Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, its world press and Tekeyan Cultural Association demand the release of Ruben Vardanyan

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The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, its seven newspapers and the Tekeyan Cultural Association of the USA and Canada agree that Vardanyan’s arrest is a symbol of what could happen to each and every Armenian in Artsakh. They demand that the UN guarantee the security of all Armenians choosing to stay in the region.

Details: https://mirrorspectator.com/2023/09/27/

Ruben Vardanyan phones his wife and requests she take care of victims

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David Vardanyan, a son of public figure and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, speaks about his father’s call from an Azerbaijani prison. According to Vardanyan Jr., the detained philanthropist contacted his wife by phone and said that he was alright.

“[Father] just asked us to take care of all those who have suffered due to this whole situation,” David added.

Details: https://armeniatoday.news/society-ru/667927/

What makes Ruben Vardanyan a key figure in Russian charity?

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The well-known philanthropist was one of the first to say that commercial companies should care about something other than their revenue. “There can be no business without social responsibility,” Ruben Vardanyan claimed.

An article about Ruben Vardanyan’s merits came out on the Miloserdie.ru por-tal. It contains the social entrepreneur’s profile, which provides detailed infor-mation about his charitable projects and initiatives.

Details: https://www.miloserdie.ru/article/shkola-dlya-talantlivyh-detej-vosstanovlenie-monastyrej-obuchenie-sotrudnikov-nko-nagrada-podvizhnikam-chto-ruben-vardanyan-sdelal-dlya-blagotvoritelnosti-v-rossii-i-mire/

Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan: “Future of Armenia depends on it”

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Political scientist, founder of the Voskanapat analytical center Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan urges Armenians around the world to unite and fight for the release of Ruben Vardanyan and other detained residents of Artsakh. In his opinion, these people are a symbol of national dignity. The future of Armenia and Artsakh depends on their freedom.

Details: https://www.panorama.am/ru/news/2023/10/10/

Karabakh is not the end. The conflict will go on” – sociologist Alexey Tokarev

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Doctor of the Sciences, sociologist and international affairs expert Alexey Tokarev answers questions about the integration of Artsakh into Azerbaijan, sentiment in Armenia and the future of Ruben Vardanyan, former state minister of Artsakh. According to Tokarev, Vardanyan made his decision to travel to this region to show that he was a good person and a major politician, knowing that he would be quite possibly be detained. What is most important here is that Vardanyan was engaged in economic activities, not war.

Details: https://moskvichmag.ru/lyudi/karabahom-ne-zakonchitsya-konflikt-nadolgo-sotsiolog-aleksej-tokarev/

Skolkovo School of Management graduates make appeal in support of Ruben Vardanyan

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The Skolkovo School of Management graduate community speaks out in support of philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan. The former students plead for the immediate release of the public figure from prison in Azerbaijan.

“For us as business leaders, this is a blow to the entire business community. This is a great loss for the whole idea of philanthropy. There is always a leader, a wise elder and a mentor with whom we can align our views on morality and duty,” the letter reads.

Details: https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=79633

Community of Skolkovo School of Management graduates makes open appeal in support of Ruben Vardanyan

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Former students ask the media, human rights activists and world leaders to help in releasing Ruben Vardanyan. The graduates call the businessman “a wise elder and mentor” with whom they could always “align their views on morality and duty.” According to them, his arrest was a blow to the entire business community.

Details: https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=79633

Sahakyan: The arrest of Artsakh presidents by the Azerbaijani authorities is illegal, an attempt to gain psychological superiority

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According to President of the International and Comparative Law center Siranush Sahakyan, Azerbaijan’s punitive actions are an aggressive move, aimed at gaining psychological advantages. She explains that holding a political position in Artsakh is allowed by international law, therefore these arrests are illegal, and the criminal cases against Ruben Vardanyan and other officials of this region are a mere fabrication.

Details: https://news.am/rus/news/785721.html

Armenians march to Azerbaijani Embassy in Argentina to support Artsakh

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The Armenian community of Argentina marched to the Azerbaijani Embassy in Buenos Aires to condemn the genocide of Artsakh Armenians. They demanded the release of Ruben Vardanyan and other arrested leaders of this region along with prisoners of war and abducted civilians.

Details: https://armeniatoday.news/republicofartsakh-ru/666662/

Armenian community of Luxembourg holds rally urging Europe to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan

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Participants of the rally gathered in the center of Luxembourg to draw attention to the policy of ethnic cleansing in Artsakh, which is being carried out by Azerbaijan. The participants called for the release of all illegally arrested Armenians, including the prominent philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan. To speed the process they urge Europeans to put pressure on Baku and, instead of merely expressing concern, impose sanctions on Azerbaijan.

Details: https://news.am/rus/news/785618.html

Aznavour Foundation: “We must do everything to release Ruben Vardanyan as soon as possible”

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In his statement, Aznavour Foundation Co-founder and Chairman of the Board Nicolas Aznavour called Ruben Vardanyan “a patriot and philanthropist who has gone to great lengths for the Armenian people.” Aznavour cited the restoration of the Tatev Monastery, the creation of the UWC school in Dilijan and the Aurora humanitarian initiative as examples. “We are not the only ones helped by Ruben, and thanks to him we’ve joined many other representatives of the diaspora settling in Armenia in an effort to build a better future for our country,” Aznavour said.

Details: https://news.am/rus/news/783996.html

Aghazaryan: “Returning Ruben Vardanyan and other compatriots to their motherland is our country's duty and a matter of honor for Russia”

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According to Hovik Aghazaryan, a member of parliament from the ruling Civil Contract party, the state of Armenia must succeed in the prompt return of Vardanyan and other compatriots. He goes further to say it is a matter of honor for Russia, as these people trusted the Russian Federation and the Russian leader.

Details: https://news.am/rus/news/785390.html

“He went there to create, not to wage war”: Sarkisov describes his last meeting with Vardanyan

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According to RESO-Garantia Group Co-owner Sergey Sarkisov, before Vardanyan left for Artsakh, they discussed plans of economic reform. Sergey Sarkisov called Ruben Vardanyan’s arrest in Azerbaijan “a ridiculous event” and urged all decent citizens to speak up and support his immediate release.

Details: https://www.forbes.ru/milliardery/497948-ehal-sozidat-a-ne-voevat-sarkisov-rasskazal-o-poslednej-vstrece-s-vardananom

Baku informs about Vardanyan's detention conditions

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Ruben Vardanyan has no complaints regarding his detention conditions or health problems, the office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva reported. The former state minister of Artsakh was allowed to speak with his family on the phone and use the library. A lawyer chosen by his family will defend Ruben Vardanyan’s rights during the investigation.

Details: https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2023/10/06/999168-ob-usloviyah-soderzhaniya-vardanyana

Anxious world awaits news on fate of Vardanyan and other Armenian leaders arrested in Karabakh

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The article describes the arrest of the former prime minister of Artsakh, who, during and after his short tenure, called on the Artsakh Armenians to resist Azerbaijan’s attempts to force them into submission. Ruben Vardanyan became the first leader of this territory detained following the Azerbaijani military offensive. The author believes that Baku is trying to send other state officials of Artsakh to prison as well.

Details: https://mirrorspectator.com/2023/10/05/anxious-world-waits-to-hear-about-fate-of-vardanyan-other-armenian-leaders-arrested-in-karabakh/

More than 20 prominent Russians call for Vardanyan's release

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Russian representatives of science, culture and education have signed an open letter in support of Ruben Vardanyan, a businessman and former Nagorno-Karabakh-Karabakh state minister. Those supporting the appeal stress that Vardanyan has always spoken out against violence and stood for equal dialogue in any circumstances. Among the letter’s signatures are Chairman of the Board of the Skilkovo Moscow School of Management Alexander Voloshin, writer Evgeny Vodolazkin, director Alexander Sokurov, and others.

Details: https://www.rbc.ru/politics/04/10/2023/651d51b69a79473f321b626b

Mkhitaryan thanks Giroud for supporting Armenia: “If we speak about humanity, there is only one football team out there”

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Midfielder of the Inter football team Henrikh Mkhitaryan publicly thanked Milan striker Olivier Giroud for his solidarity with the Armenian people. The French footballer retweeted Mkhitaryan’s X post, where the latter stated that he joins his Armenian compatriots in the request to release Ruben Vardanyan and other arrested Armenians.

Details: https://news.italy24.press/sports/915672.html

Ruben Vardanyan should be released from Baku prison

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According to Doctor of Technical Sciences Gennady Amiryants, Ruben Vardanyan is a world-class figure who, despite being over sixty years of age, abandoned a comfortable life for the hunger and cold of besieged Artsakh purely out of love for his motherland. After his arrest, the region’s former state minister became “a true hero, a fighter for justice, a true man of Peace.”

Details: https://realtribune.ru/ruben-vardanyan-dolzhen-byt-osvobozhden-iz-bakinskoj-tjurmy/

Senator Karasin calls ex-head of Karabakh Cabinet Vardanyan “heroic figure”

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On his Telegram channel, Federation Council Spokesperson Georgy Karasin wrote that Ruben Vardanyan “has become a heroic figure against the backdrop of the dramatic events in Armenia.” According to the senator, the former state minister of Artsakh “deserves great respect for fiercely defending his beliefs and protecting the fate of his country.”

Details: https://yandex.ru/turbo/argumenti.ru/s/politics/2023/10/858857

Modern-day Saviors protest arrest of Armenian leader

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The Catholic news website Aleteia informs that the ex-head of the Artsakh government illegally detained by Azerbaijan is a co-founder of the Aurora humanitarian prize. The site pays tribute to those fighting for human rights around the world. The award winners from several countries signed an open letter calling the arrest of Ruben Vardanyan “outrageous and politically motivated.”

Details: https://aleteia.org/2023/09/30/modern-day-saviors-protest-arrest-of-armenian-leader/

Hayrapetyan: “The charges against Ruben Vardanyan and others are a crime against civilization”

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Ruben Hayrapetyan, Matena International School CEO, calls the arrest of Ruben Vardanyan and those illegally detained by Azerbaijan a crime “not only against humanity but against civilization.” He announced his views on September 30 in Yerevan as crowds gathered to march in support of Vardanyan and other detainees from Artsakh.

Details: https://news.am/rus/news/784273.html

Almost all ethnic Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh, remaining hundreds plan to follow

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The reporter states that the flow of refugees from Artsakh dropped to a minimum towards the end of September. According to the article, over 100 thousand people left the region (the total population of Artsakh is about 120 thousand people).

Details: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-30/almost-all-ethnic-armenians-flee-nagorno-karabakh/102921098

Yerevan residents take to streets demanding Ruben Vardanyan's release

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A massive march supporting Ruben Vardanyan took place in Yerevan — from the Matenadaran museum to the Matena International School, which was founded by the former state minister of Artsakh. Those participating in the march demanded that the Armenian authorities make every possible effort to release Armenian residents detained in Artsakh.

Details: https://www.mk.ru/politics/2023/09/30/zhiteli-erevana-vyshli-na-ulicy-trebuya-osvobozhdeniya-rubena-vardanyana.html

Global humanitarian community leaders show support for Ruben Vardanyan

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In an open letter, representatives of the global humanitarian and human rights community call on the Azerbaijani government to immediately release Ruben Vardanyan, a businessman, philanthropist and co-founder of the Aurora humanitarian initiative. The appeal emphasizes the injustice of Ruben’s arrest, as he has devoted the last 20 years to the social and economic development of the region.

Details: https://news.am/rus/news/784111.html

Aliyev's trophy. What awaits arrested businessman Ruben Vardanyan

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According to Azerbaijani political analyst Bahruz Samadov, the detention of the former state minister of Artsakh may be the Azerbaijani president’s personal revenge. Aza Babayan, a journalist from Yerevan, says that Ruben Vardanyan is quite the trophy, and Azerbaijan will not let him go so easily.

Details: https://www.svoboda.org/a/trofey-alieva-chto-zhdet-arestovannogo-biznesmena-rubena-vardanyana/32615816.html

UN stands up for rights of former government leader of unrecognized NKR

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The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights insists Azerbaijani authorities respect the rights of the arrested former government leader of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Ruben Vardanyan. This news coming from spokesperson Elizabeth Throssel, who further states that Azerbaijani authorities must take all measures to ensure a fair trial.

Details: https://tass.ru/obschestvo/18866621

AGBU expresses grave concern over the arrest of prominent Armenian Ruben Vardanyan

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AGBU (Armenian General Benevolent Union) President Berge Setrakian states that the arrest of former Artsakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan acknowledges Azerbaijan’s intention to wage a retribution campaign against all Armenians previously participating in the defense or governance of Artsakh. On behalf of the organization, he calls on members of the UN Security Council and leaders around the world to prevent these plans from implementation. .

Details: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/agbu-expresses-grave-concern-over-182900101.html

Former state minister of Nagorno-Karabakh arrested by Azerbaijan

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According to the Guardian, Ruben Vardanyan was detained in his attempt to cross the Armenian border along with more than 50 thousand residents of Artsakh, all fleeing from the region. This is noted as the first high-profile arrest after launching the Azerbaijani army’s rapid offensive. Earlier, Vardanyan accused Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev of setting off an “ethnic cleansing” campaign against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and called for sanctions against Azerbaijan.

Details: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/27/former-state-minister-of-nagorno-karabakh-ruben-vardanyan-arrested-by-azerbaijan