Azerbaijan arrests former separatist head

YEREVAN, Armenia — Azerbaijan has detained the former head of Nagorno-Karabakh’s separatist government as he tried to cross into Armenia following Azerbaijan’s 24-hour blitz last week to reclaim control of the enclave.

The arrest on Wednesday of Ruben Vardanyan was announced by Azerbaijan’s border guard service. It appears to reflect Azerbaijan’s intention to quickly and forcefully enforce its grip on the region.

The offensive has triggered an exodus of tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians — more than a third of the region’s population.

Azerbaijan’s Health Ministry says a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed during the offensive, while Nagorno-Karabakh officials say at least 200 people died on their side, including 10 civilians.