Ruben Vardanyan`s wife stated her readiness to travel to Baku as soon as access to Armenian prisoners and security conditions are agreed upon.

ArmInfo. An international women's humanitarian delegation will be ready to depart for Baku as soon as access to Armenian prisoners and security conditions for its participants can be agreed upon. This was stated in a statement by Veronika Zonabend, the wife of philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, who is currently held captive in Azerbaijan.

"We are responsible for each of them, so we believe it is essential to first reach these agreements. The delegation includes women from various countries, known for their public and professional activities." "They wanted to visit all Armenian prisoners in the Umbaki Penitentiary Complex and deliver letters, photographs, and packages from their loved ones," Vardanyan's wife said in a statement.

Zonabend recalled that she had contacted the Azerbaijani Human Rights Commissioner several times since June 2026, proposing various formats: a visit by the entire delegation, a small group, or a visit accompanied by a representative of her office.

"I also asked to coordinate security arrangements. Unfortunately, we have not yet received a response. During this time, Azerbaijani media outlets have published reports about a possible arrest if I arrive. We are also concerned that Ruben's local lawyer has not been allowed to see him since August 25. We hope this issue will be resolved. I have also appealed to the Armenian government for diplomatic assistance. "Following my meeting with Siranush Sahakyan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 17, the person responsible has still not been named, and our written request remains unanswered," she added.

Zonabend noted that economic ties are developing between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Armenian delegations are visiting Azerbaijan. She said this is proof that all the prerequisites are in place for organizing a humanitarian visit, and a visit to Armenian prisoners should be included on the agenda of one of these visits.

"We decided not to withhold the letters that the delegation was supposed to deliver in person. On October 1, 1,254 letters collected for all Armenian prisoners were handed over to the Armenian government, asking for assistance in delivering them to Baku. We hope that every letter will reach its intended recipients. Every prisoner should receive words of support and know that they are remembered.

I am grateful to every member of the delegation and everyone who wrote a letter of support. Our goal remains the same: to see our loved ones and restore contact between prisoners and their families. We will continue this work until all of them return home. We understand that this may be a long road, but we believe that it will lead to a just solution,” Zonabend said in a statement.

It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown. Experts estimate there are several hundred. Today, Azerbaijani authorities confirm the presence of 19 Armenians in their custody. Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are eight former and current representatives of the military-political leadership of Artsakh. These are former presidents of Artsakh; Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, as well as Parliament Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan, and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.

In February, the Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, Davit Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment on trumped-up charges, and Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison. The so-called court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up to 15 years in prison.