Entrepreneur and public figure Ruben Vardanyan has been nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, Vardanyan’s office has confirmed, according to Sputnik Armenia.

Vardanyan was nominated by a number of political and public figures, whose names have not yet been unveiled by Vardanyan’s office, but a Nobel Peace Prize laureate is said to be among them.

In an appeal to the Nobel Committee, a group of figures have reportedly noted that they propose Vardanyan’s candidacy given several dozen scientific, educational and humanitarian programs he helped implement not only in Armenia, but also in other countries.

In particular, Vardanyan’s activity during the blockade of Karabakh, aimed at improving the difficult living conditions of the population, were noted.

In September 2022, Vardanyan moved to Nagorno-Karabakh and was appointed Minister of State of Karabakh on November 4. On February 23, 2023, he was relieved of his duties, but remained in Karabakh until Azerbaijan’s attack in September 2023. On September 27, he was illegally arrested and is still in prison in Baku, along with other former leaders of Karabakh.