BAKU – After more than 500 days of imprisonment in Baku, Nagorno-Karabakh’s former State Minister, Ruben Vardanyan, has called for a peace founded on fundamental human values and dignity, creating a foundation for genuine coexistence in the South Caucasus.
Vardanyan, currently held in isolation in Baku, sent an audio message through his family, requesting that the phone conversation be recorded and made public. In his message, he called for a “real, stable, long-term peace—not just on paper, but one that is sustainable and upheld by all people.”
He condemned his ongoing show trial, paid tribute to Karabakh’s displaced population, and urged Armenians not to fall into despair.
“I am in good shape, I feel strong, my health is fine, and I am at peace with myself, stronger in spirit than ever before,” the Armenian-born billionaire and philanthropist stated on the 18th day of his hunger strike, launched in protest against what he described as “egregious due process abuses” by Azerbaijani authorities.
“This is a protest against the very nature of this process itself, against the way it is unfolding,” Vardanyan said in a 12-minute message recorded by his family during a phone call on Thursday. “I knew what I was getting into, and I was—and still am—prepared for even worse conditions. I am not a victim, and I do not want to be pitied. This was a conscious decision.”
“My demands remain the same. If there is such a desire to judge me, then judge me professionally, publicly, and openly, in accordance with Azerbaijani laws and legal procedures, along with everyone else,” he said, referring to the seven other former Karabakh leaders facing a separate trial in Baku.
“Do not violate your own laws and procedures. Do not falsify documents. Do not manipulate evidence and protocols,” he urged Azerbaijani authorities.
Vardanyan reiterated that he does not regret relocating to Karabakh in September 2022—one year before it was recaptured by Azerbaijan. He apologized to the children of Karabakh who “lost their homeland” following Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive and the subsequent mass exodus of the region’s ethnic Armenian population.
“I was happy to be with you, the people of Artsakh, to always feel your love, warmth, gratitude, and trust during that difficult time,” he said. “I am proud of you—real, down-to-earth people dear to me—and I love you all sincerely.”
**Ruben Vardanyan’s Full Address:**
**March 5, 2025**
“I want to say a few words to you as Ruben Vardanyan—just as I am. As an Armenian who speaks and thinks in Russian. As a citizen of the world, a man who is happily married, who loves everyone, who has dedicated himself to self-education, and who lives with faith in God.”
\[01:30 continues in Russian\]
“First and foremost, I want to thank all of you for your support—through your prayers, thoughts, and letters, and simply for not being indifferent to what is happening here. I feel all your thoughts and wishes, and they give me great strength and energy. Thoughts are undoubtedly material. I am in good shape, I feel strong, my health is fine, and I am at peace with myself, with my spirit as strong as ever.
I want to apologize to my beloved wife, my family, and all those dear to me for the pain and worry my decision has caused them. But each of us has our own unique path, and I have chosen mine. Our fate is predestined by God, but we are the ones who decide which road we take. Even refusing to choose is a choice in itself—one that allows someone else to decide for us.
I want to emphasize once again that my decision has nothing to do with my personal well-being or my conditions in detention. Just as during my previous hunger strike, which lasted 20 days until midnight on April 24, this is a protest—against the very nature of this process and how it is unfolding.
I knew what I was getting into. I was prepared then, and I remain prepared—even for worse conditions. I am not a victim, and I do not seek pity because this was my conscious decision.
My demands remain the same. If there is a desire to judge me, then judge me professionally, publicly, and openly, in accordance with Azerbaijani laws and legal procedures, along with everyone else. Let international journalists and observers be present—after all, you claim to be so sure of your righteousness. Stop artificially separating my case. Why have you singled me out when all my charges are based on the claim that I have supposedly been part of an organized criminal group since 1987?
Do not violate your own laws and procedures. Do not falsify documents. Do not manipulate evidence and protocols. You have access to everything—my phone, my personal belongings, my documents. Do not turn the judicial system into a show trial, a farce, an imitation of justice. If you are going to judge, then judge fairly.
To my compatriots and beloved ones: it is not just me and 15 others who are being put on trial—it is all Armenians around the world. And if you do not understand this, it is a great tragedy, because this is not the end of the story, nor the end of the conflict. Unfortunately, it is only another stage for all sides.
I am being accused of everything that has happened since 1987. That is fine—I am willing to accept the harshest punishment if it would truly bring peace and stability. But it is an illusion to think that when this process is over, you will all be left alone, that you can simply go about your lives and enjoy simple pleasures without thinking about these issues. The challenges still lie ahead for all of us.
I knew what I was doing when I moved to Artsakh. Every person makes their own decisions in life, and in the end, they will stand before God alone and answer for their thoughts, words, and actions. I know this to be true. Even when someone sacrifices themselves for their homeland, their family, or their principles, it is their decision alone—and their responsibility to bear. In that sense, I was fully aware of my choices.
I do not know if I will have another opportunity to speak with you. So, I want to ask forgiveness from anyone I may have ever hurt—through words, actions, or negligence. Please forgive me! I have never acted out of malice, envy, pride, or revenge. I have never wished to cause anyone pain.
I also want to express deep sorrow to Alvard (the wife of Davit Manukyan), with whom I left Artsakh in a car. Alvard, if I had not been in your car, if we had not been together with your husband, he would be with you today. Please forgive me. For me, this is the heaviest burden—to know that another person is suffering because of me.
To the children who have lost their homeland—I apologize for not doing everything I could to prevent this. I did as much as I felt I had the moral right to do because I was with you. But I was alone, without my family. And yet, I am grateful that I was able to prevent certain things that, in my view, could have broken us as a nation completely. I managed to stop that and change history slightly.
I am a very happy person. God has blessed me with a wonderful family and friends. I have had the privilege of working on countless projects with incredible partners. I have seen much of the world. But some of the best days of my life were those spent with you—rebuilding Akobavank Monastery, sharing meals, and dancing together despite all hardships.
Evil must never be answered with evil—it only perpetuates the cycle. After Sumgait came Khojaly, and the cycle continues endlessly. This path was never acceptable to me because it leads nowhere.
I remain an optimist. Despite everything, I believe we will overcome our challenges. We will live in our homeland again, in peace with our neighbors, with mutual respect, overcoming the hatred that has built up over the years.
Everything will be alright!
I love you. I respect you. And despite all the difficulties ahead, we will persevere.”