Vardan Ghukasyan Ordered to Leave U.S. but Not Extradited to Armenia

Vardan Ghukasyan, chairman of the DOK party, has been ordered to leave the United States following a decision by an immigration court. However, the court also ruled that he will not be extradited to Armenia. The announcement was shared on the party’s official Facebook page.

According to the statement, the court confirmed that Ghukasyan had violated immigration rules during his stay in the U.S. Because of this, he must depart the country.

Earlier this year, in March, U.S. Customs and Immigration Service officials reported that Ghukasyan was facing deportation. He had been arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and held in custody.

Authorities stated that Ghukasyan, now 47 years old, first entered the United States on February 19, 2022. However, he failed to leave within the time limit set by his entry conditions. This led to immigration proceedings against him.

Under U.S. law, foreign nationals accused of immigration violations are provided with certain rights. ICE noted that these include “the right to an attorney, the right to challenge deportation charges, and the right to present or review evidence.”

Meanwhile, in Armenia, legal action has also been taken against Ghukasyan. In May 2023, the Investigative Committee of Armenia announced that public criminal prosecution had begun against him for alleged large-scale extortion. At the time, the committee said that detention had been chosen as the measure of restraint.

The case has drawn attention both in Armenia and among the Armenian diaspora, as Ghukasyan is known not only as a political figure but also as the founder of the “Public Voice” party, widely recognized by his nickname “Dog.”

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