Azerbaijani Forces Arrest Former Leader of Separatist Nagorno-Karabakh Government

On Wednesday, October 5, Azerbaijani forces arrested the former leader of the Armenian separatist government in Nagorno-Karabakh while he was attempting to flee to Armenia. Following recent developments and the renewed control of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan, thousands of Armenians from the region have fled to Armenia. According to Reuters, Ruben Vardanyan, a billionaire banker, served as the head of the separatist government in Nagorno-Karabakh from November 2022 to February 2023. His wife, Veronika Zonabend, stated on her Telegram channel that he was arrested while trying to escape to Armenia with other ethnic Armenians. The Azerbaijani border service reported that 'Vardanyan has been transferred to Baku and handed over to state organizations.' It remains unclear what charges have been brought against Ruben Vardanyan, but Azerbaijan has announced its intention to prosecute some leaders of the Nagorno-Karabakh separatists. The international community recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, but most of its inhabitants are ethnic Armenians who settled there after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the wars in the region. Previously, reports of mass flight of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh due to fears of Azerbaijani retaliation have emerged. According to officials from the Nagorno-Karabakh separatist government, over 47,000 Armenians have left the region so far. Western governments are concerned about the potential for a 'humanitarian disaster' and are pressuring Azerbaijan to allow international observers into Nagorno-Karabakh. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged Baku on Wednesday to agree to the entry of international observers into Nagorno-Karabakh. She stated that this action would demonstrate Azerbaijan's renewed commitment to the security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Baerbock added, 'I have decided to significantly increase my humanitarian aid once again and to raise my additional budget for the International Committee of the Red Cross from two to five million euros.' In response, Azerbaijan has rejected accusations of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming it seeks to integrate Armenians peacefully into the region's population. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev assured last week that Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh would enjoy full freedom and that Baku would turn the region into a 'paradise.' Turkey's insistence on constructing the Zangezur corridor is seen by Erdogan as an important step for peace and prosperity in the region. The Armenian Prime Minister has stated that 'ethnic cleansing' is ongoing in Nagorno-Karabakh. An explosion in Nagorno-Karabakh left 20 dead and dozens injured. A senior U.S. official stated that Baku should protect the rights of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Aliyev claimed during a meeting with Erdogan that part of Armenia should have been part of Azerbaijan. Two senior U.S. officials traveled to Armenia regarding developments in Nagorno-Karabakh.