“A Liar, Fantasist and Plagiarist”: Ruben Vardanyan Unleashes Sharp Attack on Pashinyan From Azerbaijani Prison Ahead of Election

On his 57th birthday — the third birthday he has spent in Azerbaijani captivity — former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan released a new audio message from prison in Baku, delivering sharp criticism of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan just weeks before Armenia’s high-stakes parliamentary elections and warning about what he described as growing dangers facing the Armenian state.

The message, recorded in Armenian during a phone conversation with his family from prison and later released publicly with subtitles in multiple languages, focused heavily on Armenia’s political future, the fate of Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan, and what Vardanyan portrayed as a deep moral and national crisis confronting the country.

According to the accompanying statement, Vardanyan intentionally chose to speak in Armenian because he believed it was important to address Armenians directly in their native language at what he described as a critical moment for the nation.

Throughout the audio message, Vardanyan repeatedly targeted Pashinyan personally and politically. Referring to the Armenian folk character “Brave Nazar,” he argued that leaders are elevated by the people and warned that nations eventually face consequences for the leaders they choose.

Vardanyan said that while imprisoned in Baku, he searched the prison library for Armenian-language books in order to maintain his Armenian language skills. According to him, only two Armenian books were available — one written by V. Petrosyan and another authored by Pashinyan.

After reading Pashinyan’s book, Vardanyan accused the Armenian prime minister of having “serious moral and ethical problems,” describing him as “a liar, a fantasist, and a plagiarist.” He further alleged that Pashinyan had stolen intellectual property and claimed the Armenian leader would eventually “pay a heavy price” for his actions.

In one of the most controversial portions of the message, Vardanyan referenced beliefs in India surrounding reincarnation and said that being reborn as an earthworm for 84,000 years is considered one of the harshest punishments for sins. He stated that he feared such a fate awaited Pashinyan, though he added that he still hoped the Armenian prime minister had time to change.

Vardanyan also used the address to issue broader warnings about Armenia’s future following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. He argued that the conflict had not truly ended, but instead had shifted into political, economic, informational, and technological forms.

According to Vardanyan, Armenia risks becoming dangerously dependent on foreign powers and could eventually fall under Turkish and Azerbaijani influence if Armenians fail to unite and defend the country’s sovereignty. He warned that Armenia could one day become “a Turkish vilayet” if current trends continue.

The imprisoned Armenian political figure additionally criticized plans for Armenia’s upcoming May 28 military parade, calling such celebrations immoral while Armenian prisoners and former officials remain jailed in Azerbaijan.

He argued that a strong army is built not only through weapons and military equipment, but through patriotism, morality, and national spirit. Vardanyan urged what he described as “true patriots” not to participate in celebratory events while Armenian detainees continue to remain imprisoned in Baku.

Vardanyan also accused Armenian authorities of failing to adequately support Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan. According to him, detainees have gone years without receiving photographs, letters, clothing, or meaningful support from relatives, while Armenian authorities have not shown sufficient urgency regarding their situation.

Toward the conclusion of the message, Vardanyan focused heavily on the idea of indifference, describing it as more dangerous than hatred, evil, or even death itself. He warned that Armenia’s survival depends on national unity and said no single individual could solve the country’s problems alone.

He also reflected on faith, gratitude, and service, introducing himself as “dasa Ruben,” explaining that the Sanskrit word “dasa” means “servant” or “devotee.” The note accompanying the audio message referenced The Glass Bead Game by Hermann Hesse, where the concept is associated with spiritual devotion and service.

Vardanyan described himself as “an Armenian who thinks in Russian” and said he remained grateful for the opportunity to dedicate his life to Armenia and to serving others “with love and faith.”

The message ended with a call for Armenians to take responsibility for the country’s future while expressing hope that those “acting wrongly today” would eventually change.

“I forgive everyone, I love everyone. Thank you all. I am with you,” Vardanyan concluded.

Vardanyan, a former state minister of Nagorno-Karabakh and internationally known philanthropist, was sentenced in Azerbaijan to 20 years in prison after being detained following Azerbaijan’s September 2023 military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh and the forced displacement of the region’s indigenous Armenian population. Azerbaijani authorities continue to hold multiple former Artsakh political and military leaders in custody.

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