The former head of Nagorno-Karabakh, ex-citizen of the Russian Federation, billionaire Ruben Vardanyan went on a hunger strike in a Baku prison. He demanded his release, as well as the release of all Armenian political prisoners.

The hunger strike began on April 5 following repeated requests from Vardanyan and his lawyer for a fair and transparent trial. The prisoner's relatives reported that with the start of the hunger strike, telephone calls to him stopped, which is a violation of international standards. The court hearing from January was postponed to May.

Vardanyan's family demands access to the court for international observers and the media. Among the demands of the former head of Karabakh is the release of Armenian political prisoners, and only after this is it possible to conclude a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Ruben Vardanyan was arrested on September 28, 2023. He was accused of financing terrorism, illegally crossing the state border to commit terrorist attacks and organizing illegal armed groups. Vardanyan has repeatedly criticized Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for “surrendering” Nagorno-Karabakh and called on the Russian leadership to provide support to the region and Armenia.