The authorities of Azerbaijan have extended the period of illegal detention of former state minister of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), world-famous businessman and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, Azerbaijani media have reported, citing the Sabail District Court of the Azerbaijani capital of Baku.
Vardanyan is accused of financing terrorism, participating in the creation and activities of armed organizations or groups not provided for by the legislation of Azerbaijan, and illegally crossing the state border of Azerbaijan.
Ruben Vardanyan, together with several other Armenian leaders of Artsakh, was captured by Azerbaijan in September of last year, during the occupation of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.