Ex-minister claims Pashinyan asked Azerbaijan to arrest Ruben Vardanyan
Former Armenian Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan claims that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan personally asked the Azerbaijani authorities to arrest Ruben Vardanyan, a prominent Armenian businessman and philanthropist who briefly served as Artsakh’s state minister.
Vardanyan was apprehended by Azerbaijani border guards as he attempted to leave Artsakh for Armenia through the Lachin corridor last week.
“I have credible information that it was the head of the Armenian government who, afraid of losing power, asked Azerbaijan to arrest Ruben Vardanyan, a dignified Armenian, and not to allow him to enter Armenia,” Karapetyan said in a video message on Thursday.
He accused Pashinyan’s government of “betrayal” of Armenian interests and announced the start of a political struggle for a change of power in the country.
“I call on all patriotic forces in Armenia and the Diaspora to join efforts to save Armenia’s future,” the ex-minister said.
Karapetyan served as Armenia's defense minister from 3 August to 15 November 2021.
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