January 17, 2025 - 12:01 AMT
Mkhitaryan calls for freedom for Ruben Vardanyan, Armenian prisoners

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, former captain of Armenia's national football team and midfielder for Italy's Inter Milan, made an appeal on Instagram demanding the release of Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister of Artsakh, and other Armenian prisoners.

"Freedom for Ruben Vardanyan, freedom for Armenian prisoners," Mkhitaryan wrote, addressing international organizations.

Ruben Vardanyan, unlawfully detained in an Azerbaijani prison, stated on January 16 that he has given no testimony and that all documents bearing his signature are falsified. Declaring his innocence, he demanded an end to the "politicized case" against him and other Armenians.

A court hearing on Vardanyan's case is scheduled for January 17 at 3:00 PM in Baku.