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“Ruben, we remember you. At present, my main goal is assisting in the release of Ruben Vardanyan and other political prisoners in Azerbaijan.”

“Over the past 23 years, together with Ruben, we have implemented dozens of humanitarian and charitable projects in Armenia. Last fall Ruben moved to Artsakh to help residents regain their dignity and resist the pressure they had been under. He served as state minister for three months, and remained in Artsakh even after leaving this post to implement humanitarian projects and better help the people. I believe Ruben is a symbol of all Armenians. The sole purpose of his arrest, and his charges, is to subject 10 million Armenians around the world to psychological torture. I hope that international players will not stand back nor encourage this injustice and impunity. We need to oppose it now.”

“Telegram channels have already reported about the joint visit of Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Anahit Manasyan, and Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, to the locations of temporary residence for forced migrants from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Mijatović is meeting with officials, international organizations and civil society representatives and intends to make a statement on the visit results.

I join the experts in wondering whether the name of Ruben Vardanyan detained by Azerbaijani forces will be included in this statement. He is currently under arrest in Baku along with other prisoners.

The Azerbaijani authorities led by Ilham Aliyev are candid regarding their attitude to the issue — for instance, take a recent video with the president, where he tramples on the flag of the unrecognized republic.

One cannot count on Pashinyan to help, so only Russia can accelerate Vardanyan’s release. The Russian Federation should not abandon the person whose humanitarian and educational projects continue to work despite his detention. For example, the Skolkovo business school, whose graduates have already come up with a letter in support of Vardanyan.”

“I believe Vardanyan can play a significant role in the region’s events. While another full-scale war is brewing in the Middle East, Karabakh is gradually fading into the background.

At first glance, everything has calmed down: Azerbaijan is starting to establish a new life in the region; it has launched restoration work, as well as construction of housing and infrastructure. No ethnic cleansing reports have been confirmed: Armenians willing to leave are free to go, they don’t have to run barefoot, without luggage under whizzing bullets like Azerbaijanis in the 1990s.

That being said, Ruben Vardanyan is still in a Baku prison. Having given the situation some thought, I believe that Baku has a trump card capable of solving several problems at once — granting pardon to Vardanyan.

Firstly, Ruben Vardanyan is not a killing squad member of the First Karabakh War. As loud as it may sound, he is a world-renowned businessman and philanthropist with many charitable projects, who, on the wave of idealistic patriotism, rushed to help his people. Given his influence, Vardanyan can be quite effectively exchanged for, let’s say, actual murderers deserving punishment.

Secondly, the pardon destroys the narrative built by Baku’s enemies about “the cruel and barbaric country of Azerbaijan, punishing everyone it can reach” — there is guilt, there is punishment for the most vicious criminals, but there is also generosity for those who cannot be called murderers or genocide architects. Due to his prominence, Vardanyan’s pardon would have a powerful effect in the global media, forcing many people to rethink the imposed assessments of the situation.

Finally, the pardon would once again show who is working toward signing a peace treaty and being constructive, and who is after retaining power through insane diplomatic somersaults. It is another argument for Western friends to put pressure on Nikol Pashinyan and move closer to signing a peace treaty — which also would benefit other countries of the region and Russia (for which it is vital to start a new chapter of relations with the South Caucasus states when both Azerbaijan and Armenia are considered allies).

Pardoning Ruben Vardanyan would help reach several more goals than a prison sentence — both in terms of politics, reputation and diplomacy. In my opinion, this is the right decision.”

“A human rights activist from the Council of Europe is making a big tour of the far region. Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović wheels around Armenia as a VIP guest. In May, she already claimed human rights violations in Baku. Will her position change now that the local security forces are holding the former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh captive? How will Dunja react to the merciful cup of tea that the detainees receive according to Ilham Aliyev?

What is even more interesting is Mijatović’s personal attitude to the fact that prominent philanthropist and public figure Ruben Vardanyan, who is only guilty of wanting to support the Armenians of Karabakh and moving there amid the military conflict, is languishing in a dungeon of Baku.

Does Dunja know about his detention? Most likely, yes. Vardanyan’s personality is too big for the prison bars opening. Ruben’s projects have helped thousands of people and brought educational innovations in Russia and Armenia to a new level. But knowing something doesn’t mean you can ask awkward questions. Especially when the European Union takes part in settling the conflict.

Apparently, Russia will still have to deal with Vardanyan’s detention. At least, the public is already actively discussing this insane and illegal arrest.”

“From a human point of view, it is very inspiring when a wealthy and successful businessman leaves Moscow for a war zone.

Nagorno-Karabakh was such a zone when Ruben Vardyanan, known for his Troika Dialog company, moved there a few years ago. He did not just travel there but actually headed into Nagorno-Karabakh for a short time, acting as its state minister.

Publicly declaring his intention to go to Nagorno-Karabakh in September of last year, Ruben Vardanyan noted that he was doing it not for political reasons but with a humanitarian mission. “Residents of the republic have survived two wars and lost their relatives and friends in the fight for independence. They feel abandoned,” he emphasized, expressing gratitude to Russia for its presence in the region. Once Nagorno-Karabakh was liquidated and occupied by Azerbaijani troops, he was arrested.

“Will the man who called himself the prime minister of Karabakh dare to threaten us today?” the president of Azerbaijan rhetorically asked, adding that Vardanyan and other detained NKR leaders were served tea in a remand prison.

When Ruben Vardanyan was allowed to call home from the Azerbaijani prison, he only said that his condition was normal. The actual situation is unknown at the moment — Azerbaijan has no institutions similar to Russian public oversight committees (which can check the detention conditions of any prisoner). Neither the Red Cross nor any other international organizations have inspected the prison conditions yet.

Unfortunately, Ruben Vardanyan is not formally associated with Russia anymore. In last year’s interview to Forbes magazine, he stated that he had obtained an Armenian passport and renounced Russian citizenship, “I want to have complete freedom of action, including from a moral standpoint. After all, Artsakh is a territory that still has no full-fledged definite status, and I don’t want to set Russia up in this conflict.”

His motivation (he believes that “After the 2020 war, we, Armenians of the world, must be together with Artsakh”) was absolutely clear. It is only logical that protecting the rights of Armenian citizens (including Ruben Vardanyan) must be among the Armenian authorities’ top priorities. The release of people who had no part in military operations but worked in the Nagorno-Karabakh government, can and should be included in the terms of peace agreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This endeavor could be supported by the influential Armenian diaspora in many countries, which for years has been talking about Nagorno-Karabakh as a symbol for the entire Armenian people. Probably, the Armenian diaspora in Russia could also be more active in defending one of its prominent representatives. We should not forget that thousands of people, active members of Russian civil society, have passed through Vardanyan’s projects — the Skolkovo business school, Aurora social projects and others. Their voices could facilitate the philanthropist’s release despite his renunciation of Russian citizenship.”

“In light of Pashinyan’s recent statements, the quadrilateral meeting with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia may be postponed indefinitely.

The fate of the Karabakh prisoners, who are still being held in Azerbaijan, could have been decided during the meeting. One of the people arrested by the Azerbaijani forces is our former citizen Ruben Vardanyan, a social entrepreneur and philanthropist whose humanitarian projects continue to work in Russia.

Let me remind you of a few. First and foremost, we have the Philin Philgood company, which provides comprehensive services to charitable foundations and other NPOs: it offers legal and accounting support, selects personnel, creates IT solutions. Over the nine years since its creation, Philin has helped more than a hundred Russian NPOs.

Also, we cannot ignore Vardanyan’s contribution to educational development. He co-founded the Scholae Mundi charity foundation, served on the board of trustees of MSU and RANEPA, created the international college UWC Dilijan in Dilijan, where high school students from many countries, including Russia, study.

Even after leaving for Nagorno-Karabakh, Ruben Vardanyan maintained close contact with colleagues and like-minded people who remained in Russia. I think eventually he will be released. Perhaps an exchange will take place. I am sure that releasing the philanthropist after the negotiations will benefit Russia and reinforce our influence as architects of peace.”

“Amid the recent events in the world, the tragedy of the former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders arrested by Azerbaijan and our compatriot, Ruben Vardanyan, in particular are out of the limelight.

Vardanyan is no stranger to Russian charity. For many years, he helped Doctor Liza’s Foundation, responding, among other things, to emergency requests for helping homeless people. I know he helped both the Khabenskiy’s Foundation and Podari Zhizn. Yet, unlike many, he never publicly showed off his charity. Actually, not many philanthropists help the homeless: this is a very stigmatized area. Vardanyan really sympathized with it all. I know that recently he called his family, saying that everything was fine, and he asked his relatives to continue helping those in need, including refugees.

Overall, I’ve been closely watching how Vardanyan gave up everything and left to help his native Karabakh. Simply because a person willing to risk everything, his life included, and to give up such things as daily comfort, security, confidence in his future for the sake of an idea already demands respect. And in line with the laws of universal justice, people who provide assistance to those in need should get some good in return.

I sincerely do not understand why Vardanyan has to be in prison. In theory, his fate should have drawn at least the Armenian authorities’ attention, but they are still silent. I think that Russia should also get involved in his future: apparently, the situation cannot be resolved without it. I sincerely hope that this resolution will come.”

“Ilya Ananyev, expert in political and regional communications and author of the Telegram channel Sprosite Ananyeva (“Ask Ananyev”), exclusively for Moskovskaya Prachechnaya.

I am a little surprised by Russia’s reaction to the arrest and imprisonment of Ruben Vardanyan. The Kremlin’s reaction is more or less clear: it’s big politics, caution is required when getting involved in another conflict. Perhaps there is some secret empathy toward their “ambassador of Artsakh” and maybe even undisclosed negotiations (I believe it’s possible) with Azerbaijan on releasing the well-known philanthropist and businessman.

But there is another Russia — Russian Armenians, Gazprom-Media, businesses, small and medium entrepreneurs who had received his business angel investments en masse, as well as Skolkovo and its education programs graduates.

If anyone has ever stepped out of their comfort zone, it was Vardanyan. This is exactly the behavior coaches encourage among all successful and accomplished people as they make their first career steps.

Recently, I’ve been truly happy to hear the only voice in the silence around the Artsakh crisis from the Skolkovo School of Management and Andrei Sharonov’s team. They came up with a careful appeal in defense of Ruben Vardanyan, which was nevertheless vital both for the school’s trustee and the school itself. But it drowned in the blockade just like Artsakh.

Hey, everyone from Comedy, the most successful project made in Armenia, and Gazprom-Media, why are you so quiet? Why aren’t there any creative ideas on the “Give Ruben Back” case? So many other parties could easily join the challenge as well.

Look, we ripped the “gun baron” Viktor Bout out of the United States’ grasp and trumpeted that story all over the country, yet we leave the humanitarian and philanthropist who gives Russia the most precious things — brains and education — to smolder in the stench of a prison cell. Isn’t there something wrong with this scale of justice?

“Saving Private Vardanyan” is a strong state’s mission. Kudos to Andrey Sharonov and his small but brave — within the limits of Russian domestic politics — team. They don’t leave their own behind.”

“There is another very important topic. I’m talking about the unresolved fate of Nagorno-Karabakh residents recently detained by Azerbaijan.

As you know, Ruben Vardanyan, a prominent public figure and philanthropist, was among those arrested. People may bring up his citizenship, but let me remind you that in the recent years, he has devoted himself to humanitarian projects that continued working in Russia even after Vardanyan’s detention.

He sponsored Konstantin Khabenskiy’s Foundation, Podari Zhizn and Doctor Liza’s Foundation.

Last fall, Vardanyan moved to Karabakh. Some people spoke about his political ambitions, yet in the end, he stayed there, sacrificing himself for the population’s sake.

He wanted to unite the divided parts of the nation through social projects and launched several initiatives in the unrecognized republic to support its residents.

Alas, as long as the Karabakh people are held in Baku prisons, Aliyev’s claims do not inspire optimism. Will they be left to fend for themselves? Or will Russia interfere?”

“I am deeply saddened and troubled to hear about Ruben Vardanyan’s abduction and illegal arrest by Azerbaijani forces in Artsakh.

I have known Ruben for many years, and I have always been impressed by his intelligence, compassion, dedication, and commitment to Armenia, his family and friends, and all the initiatives he has launched or taken a role in.

Ruben, someone I consider a friend, is a devoted philanthropist, visionary leader and investor who has dedicated his life to the betterment of #Armenia and #Artsakh. His fierce and passionate advocacy for his people is undeniable, while some may have differing views on his methods.

He has made significant contributions to the Armenian community around the globe, and his work in Artsakh has had a great impact. He has helped develop the region’s economy and infrastructure and has played a vital role in promoting peace and reconciliation.

His abduction and arrest clearly violate international law, and they send a chilling message to the Armenian people.

I urge the international community to lend support to promote the fair treatment of the Armenian people and to seek a peaceful resolution in Artsakh. This is no longer about politics. It is about human rights.

I stand together with Ruben and his family during this difficult time.

In addition to supporting #RubenVardanyan, let’s take this opportunity to raise awareness about Artsakh ‘s ongoing challenges.

Since the end of the 2020 war, Armenians have suffered. We have lost our homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. Our people have been displaced, and our land has been destroyed. Whether it be today or the next, we must ensure justice is served. We will raise our voices and rise up to support all Armenians as we work toward rebuilding our lives and forging a brighter future.

Have no doubt.”