Prominent Armenian businessman Noubar Afeyan has addressed a message to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian people, urging them to raise their voices against the torture of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan. Afeyan shared this appeal on his X (Twitter) account.

"It is unbearable to witness the pain and injustice inflicted by the Azerbaijani regime on my longtime friend and colleague, Ruben Vardanyan. The time has come for all Armenians, especially the leadership of the Republic of Armenia, to speak out.

If not us, then who? If not now, then when?" Afeyan added.

On February 28, protests are taking place in Yerevan in support of Ruben Vardanyan, who is enduring torture in a Baku prison. He has been on a hunger strike for a week, along with other Armenian detainees.

*Ruben Vardanyan began his hunger strike in protest against the trial orchestrated by Azerbaijan. His international lawyer, Jared Genser, issued a statement emphasizing that Vardanyan's health and safety are in serious danger.

Vardanyan’s son also released a video message, claiming that his father has been subjected to torture.*