Azerbaijan has accused former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan of “financing terrorism”, “creating and participating in illegal armed organizations”, and “illegally crossing the Azerbaijani state border”.

 Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS) detained Vardanyan yesterday as he attempted to travel from Karabakh to Armenia via the Lachin Corridor. He was later taken to Baku.

Armenia has filed a request with the European Court of Human Rights to provide information about Vardanyan’s status, detention conditions and health.

The Azerbaijani SSS states investigative and operational measures are being continued in the criminal case. 

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