The family of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, now held in a Baku jail, announced today that they were able to speak to him by telephone following more than two weeks of incommunicado detention.

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

“During the call, he mentioned that during this time he has been in full isolation, without access to even any reading materials,” the family writes.

The family says international pressure forced Baku to allow him to speak with relatives.

“I am now more convinced than ever before that values and principles are more important than even life itself,” Vardanyan told his family.

Vardanyan went on hunger strike on April 5, demanding his immediate and unconditional release and that of the other Armenian prisoners illegally held in Baku.  

Vardanyan has been charged with "financing terrorism”, “creating and participating in illegal armed organizations”, and “illegally crossing the Azerbaijani state border”.