The Armenian government has expressed readiness to arrange, through the responsible agency, a meeting with Veronika Zonabend, the wife of Ruben Vardanyan, who is being unlawfully held in Baku. The government said it had contacted Zonabend, News.am reports.
She was provided with the contact details of the relevant official so that the meeting could be arranged at a time convenient for her.
On July 8, Veronika Zonabend addressed an open letter to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, saying she intended to travel to Baku as part of an international women’s humanitarian delegation.
At the same time, given that the International Committee of the Red Cross last visited Armenian prisoners and hostages held in Baku in December last year, NEWS.am also asked the government whether it planned to approach international partners or take specific steps to restore regular humanitarian contact with Armenians held in Azerbaijan, communication with their families and visits by international human rights organizations.
Responding to the inquiry on August 5, the government said it was aware of the issues raised in Veronika Zonabend’s open letter.
“Given the sensitivity of these issues, the government has expressed readiness to arrange a meeting with Ms. Zonabend through the responsible agency to address the issues raised and to present the steps and actions being taken toward the return of our compatriots held in captivity in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the protection of their rights. We also inform you that contact has been established with Ms. Zonabend, and she has been provided with the contact details of a person from the relevant agency so that a meeting can be arranged at a time convenient for her,” the response sent to the website said.
The response identified Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the relevant agency.
