Pashinyan assures: There is some uncertainty in Ruben Vardanyan`s  issue, currently held in Azerbaijan 

ArmInfo.The Prime Minister of Armenia believes that there are ambiguities in the issue of Ruben Vardanyan, who is currently being held captive in Azerbaijan.  During a press conference in Yerevan on August 31, touching upon the issue of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan, including philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, Pashinyan, in particular, hinting directly at Russia, said:

"I believe that there are ambiguities in the Ruben Vardanyan issue. How did it happen that Vardanyan renounced his Russian Federation citizenship? Who advised or instructed him to do so? Who sent him to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, and for what purposes were guarantees and instructions provided? Why did someone later claim to not know him very well and deny his citizenship?  We need answers to these questions." He also reiterated that Armenian authorities are working on resolving the issue of prisoners of war and detainees. 

According to him, a peace agenda is necessary to resolve this issue, and "even if it doesn't always end successfully, the main thing is to ensure the success of the current process." It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown.  According to experts, there are several hundred. Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity, are 8 former and current representatives of the military-political leadership of Artsakh. These include the former presidents of Artsakh Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs David Babayan, as well as the speaker of the parliament David Ishkhanyan, former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan and former state minister Ruben Vardanyan.