"Azerbaijan Demanded Vardanyan's Release, and He Was Released": Davit Galstyan

It is likely that Ruben Vardanyan was released at Azerbaijan's request in exchange for starting negotiations on the restoration of gas and electricity, said Davit Galstyan, the leader of the "Justice" faction of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, to 24News.

According to him, Azerbaijan's actions indicate this, considering that Baku's demands are being fulfilled without interruption: “Azerbaijan demanded the release of Vardanyan, and he was released. Azerbaijan is trying to do what it has planned. It has not deviated from its plan, which is to ethnically cleanse Artsakh.”

In Galstyan's opinion, the Berdzor (Lachin) corridor will not open for now, and will only open after the depopulation of Artsakh. “According to rumors circulating, Azerbaijan had set a precondition that it would not negotiate if Vardanyan was not removed from office. Perhaps the authorities of Artsakh disseminated these rumors in the public sphere to show that they are doing everything possible to restore gas and electricity, even though gas supply has already been restored. In other words, they have provided the people with information that they are doing everything possible towards the resumption of negotiations regarding electricity and gas, saying ‘look, our steps have resulted in a positive outcome and the resumption of negotiations’,” concluded the Armenian legislator from Artsakh.