“A man who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for helping people during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains in custody. Vardanyan prevented a humanitarian catastrophe in Karabakh by organizing many social projects in the region supporting the peaceful population.

Vardanyan’s letter, read by his wife at the Aurora award ceremony (Vardanyan is one of its founders), says: “I have decided to be together with those who need help and help them in any way I can. I’ve been completely isolated from the outside world for eight months now, and I have a lot of time to think. And I do not regret my choice at all”.