Ruben Vardanyan's wife confirms the news of her husband's arrest at Lachin checkpoint

The wife of the former state minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, businessman Ruben Vardanyan, confirms the information about the arrest of her husband at the Lachin checkpoint, Azatutyun writes.

"My husband, Ruben Vardanyan, a philanthropist, businessman and former minister of state of Artsakh, was arrested and imprisoned by the Azerbaijani authorities this morning 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," Veronika Zonabend said in a statement provided to Azat by Ruben Vardanyan's spokesperson.

Earlier, Azerbaijani unofficial sources spread information about Vardanyan's arrest.

One source from Stepanakert's ruling circle, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the news of Ruben Vardanyan's arrest to Azat. According to the source, Vardanyan was arrested from the Azerbaijani checkpoint of the Hakari bridge and taken to Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani official sources have not yet confirmed this information.