Azerbaijan Sentences Armenian Billionaire: A Clash Over Nagorno-Karabakh

Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian billionaire and ex-official in Nagorno-Karabakh, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by Azerbaijan on charges including terrorism. The U.S. seeks peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Vardanyan's son criticizes the verdict, and diplomatic tensions simmer over the region's status.

An Azerbaijani court sentenced Armenian-born billionaire Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison on Tuesday, convicting him of 42 charges including terrorism and war crimes. Vardanyan was a senior official in the Armenian administration in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The U.S. is actively pushing for peace between the conflicting neighbors, Armenia and Azerbaijan, mainly disputing over Nagorno-Karabakh. However, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev dismissed the idea of pardoning former Karabakh officials, despite calls from the U.S. and Armenia.

Vardanyan's son labeled the prison verdict "predetermined" and urged stronger efforts for his father's release. As Vardanyan's family decries the trial's fairness, the geopolitical tension over the mountainous region persists.