VIDEO: We Hope My Father Will Be Released, Says Ruben Vardanyan's Son

The correspondent of News.am spoke with Davit Vardanyan, the son of the former Prime Minister of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan.

Do you have any information about Ruben Vardanyan? Have you managed to contact him?

Yes, he called my mother yesterday and last Tuesday; I was not present. As far as I understand, the call was very short. He said he is in good condition. No other details were discussed. He said he misses us, and we miss him too.

Has he asked you to convey anything?

As far as I know, no. He just asked us to take care of all those who are currently suffering from this entire situation.

Have International Red Cross representatives visited him?

I do not have such information, but I know that representatives (ICRC) contacted my mother and said they wanted to get in touch with my father and others as well.

Are you currently working on organizing only Ruben Vardanyan's return, or are there other prisoners as well?

The Republic of Armenia has also filed a complaint with international courts not only for my father's release but for the release of all the prisoners taken by Azerbaijan. There will be a trial in The Hague on October 12 regarding their possible release. We have great hope that this process will end successfully. Of course, we are taking steps to secure my father's release, but it is still too early to talk about them.

There were reports that the family has its own lawyer. Who is he, and how were you able to engage this lawyer?

Yes, that is correct. Through contacts provided by non-governmental organizations and through acquaintances, we were able to connect with a local lawyer we hired to represent my father's interests. This lawyer is now representing our interests in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan does not comply with the decisions of international courts. What guarantee is there that it will be possible to achieve Ruben Vardanyan's release legally?

I, like many others, believe that human values and the law operate in all cases, and that the International Court of Justice still has influence. I know there have been issues with the implementation of International Court of Justice decisions in the past, but I truly believe in these institutions and hope that this process will help free my father.