Operation to Dismiss Vardan Ghukasian is Coming to an End

Armlur.am reports that exceptional sources close to the law enforcement system have reported that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has instructed to develop a scenario for the dismissal of Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasian.

According to the same sources, the Prime Minister has demanded to find any legal formulation that could potentially annul Ghukasian's election. Pashinyan's intention is to activate the theme of 'vote buying' and initiate anti-mayoral processes on that basis. However, sources within the law enforcement system note that there is no precedent for such a case; the election has taken place, the mayor has been elected, and it remains unclear how the Prime Minister's political directive can be implemented.

According to editorial sources, discussions among the ruling elite also include the possibility of 'heating up' one of the criminal cases initiated against Ghukasian, including the option of detaining him. The target is clear: to prevent the mayor of Gyumri from continuing to influence public sentiment with his critical statements.

While it is publicly presented that Ghukasian is being targeted for his pro-Russian statements and his ideas regarding entering a union, as well as for speaking against the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia, the real reason is his open, uncompromising criticism directed at Pashinyan and the ruling CC party.

The voice of the Gyumri mayor is not only heard in the second-largest city but also in the capital. His recent interviews, over 50 letters addressed to the Prime Minister, and public complaints have been perceived by the authorities as 'unacceptable boldness.'

As website sources point out, if even Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan faced two years of imprisonment for giving an interview, it is not hard to predict what could await Vardan Ghukasian following his bold statements.