Noubar Afeyan talks about efforts to free Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian prisoners in Baku
YEREVAN, October 2 /ARKA/. Sufficient efforts are being made to secure the release of Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian prisoners held in Baku, said American businessman and philanthropist, co-founder and President of the Board of Directors of the ‘’Aurora’’ humanitarian initiative Noubar Afeyan.
"We are trying to help their release in every possible way, involving lawyers and various international organizations. The Armenian government is also working on the release of Armenian prisoners, raising this issue at various meetings. I hope that every effort will be made to release them. We are waiting for a miracle," Afeyan told reporters in Yerevan on Wednesday.
He said he received information about Vardanyan through his family - Baku allowed some short telephone conversations during which Vardanyan explained the situation and shared his concerns.
Afeyan also commented on the statement of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan who asked earlier who had sent Ruben Vardanyan to Karabakh and for what purpose, calling Pashinyan's words not an accusation, but a suspicion.
"I know Ruben Vardanyan very well, for about 25 years, and I can tell you who Ruben Vardanyan is... Suspicions should be directed to other northern countries, not Ruben. Ruben was just a mediator, and when he learned that Artsakh was in danger, he immediately went there to help the people of Artsakh," Afeyan said.
About Armenian prisoners in Baku
Azerbaijan officially confirms the fact of holding only 33 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, but Armenian human rights activists claim that there are another 80 Armenian prisoners.
Former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, former Presidents Bako Sahakyan and Arkady Ghukasyan, former Speaker of the Parliament David Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister David Babayan, former Deputy Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army David Manukyan are under arrest in Azerbaijan. Among those arrested are former President Arayik Harutyunyan and former Commander of the Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan.
