Ruben Vardanyan, the former State Minister of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, was arrested at Hakari bridge on his way from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, Russian TASS agency reports.

Armenian and Azerbaijani official sources have not yet confirmed this information.

News about Vardanyan's arrest was later confirmed by his wife Veronika Zonabend.

Ruben Vardanyan served as state minister from November 2022 to February 2023.

Update: 2:25 p.m

Ruben Vardanyan’s wife Veronika Zonabend issued the following statement.

"This morning, my husband, philanthropist, businessman and former Minister of State of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan, was arrested and imprisoned by the Azerbaijani authorities when he tried to leave Artsakh with thousands of Armenians who escaped the Azerbaijani occupation. Ruben was by the side of the people of Artsakh during the 10 months of the siege and together with them suffered hardships in that struggle for existence. I am asking for your prayers and support to secure my husband's safe release."