Investigation by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan on Ruben Vardanyan's activities

On September 28, the State Security Service of Azerbaijan (SSS) announced that a preliminary investigation is being conducted in connection with the investigation of numerous terrorist crimes committed by illegal Armenian armed groups operating in the territories of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Azerbaijan.

"On the basis of the collected evidence, Ruben Vardanyan, who is currently a citizen of Armenia, was charged under articles 214-1 (Financing terrorism), 279.3 (Participation in the creation and activity of armed groups or groups not provided for by law) and 318.1 (Illegal crossing of the state border of Azerbaijan) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, reasonable suspicion was established that he committed the intended criminal acts," the statement said.

"Ruben Vardanyan, being a citizen of a foreign country, illegally crossed the state border of Azerbaijan outside the checkpoints in September 2022, entered the area where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed in the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan and started activities in violation of the laws of Azerbaijan in this area," the information said.

Ruben Vardanyan was charged with criminal responsibility. By the decision of the Sabail District Court of Baku, he was sentenced to four months in prison. If the charges are proven, Vardanyan could face up to 30 years in prison.

Consular access to Ruben Vardanyan being handled by Armenia 
On September 27, a diplomatic source in Yerevan told RIA Novosti that the issue of consular access to Ruben Vardanyan, detained by Azerbaijani authorities, is being handled by the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

"The issue of consular access to Vardanyan is being handled by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, which will protect the rights of citizens of the Republic of Armenia," the source said. Armenia has already appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to protect the rights of Ruben Vardanyan.  "The Armenian side has asked the ECHR to apply an interim measure and demand that Baku provide information on where Vardanyan was taken and what his condition is," the source added.

Former de facto foreign minister of separatist Nagorno-Karabakh surrenders to Azerbaijan

On September 28, David Babayan, the former de facto foreign minister of separatist Nagorno-Karabakh and current advisor to the de facto president of the unrecognized republic, announced his decision to voluntarily go to Shusha for the investigation demanded by the Azerbaijani side.

"I am on Azerbaijan's blacklist, and the Azerbaijani side demanded my arrival in Baku for a proper investigation. I decided to travel from Stepanakert [Khankendi in Azerbaijani] to Shusha today," he stressed.
Babayan noted, "My non-appearance, or worse, my escape, will cause serious harm to our long-suffering people, many people, and I, as an honest man, a worker, a patriot and a Christian, cannot allow this.