Vardan Ghukasyan, nicknamed 'Dog', to Be Released from Prison This Month

Vardan Ghukasyan, known by the nickname 'Dog', who was detained in the United States, is scheduled to be released from the Henderson prison this month. Ghukasyan had been in US custody for nearly ten months and had appealed the decision of the immigration court. According to his lawyer, Leon Baghdasaryan, he has decided not to wait for the appellate court's ruling and will soon leave the United States for a third country.

Baghdasaryan explained that it is the protocol that when a person is released from a correctional facility, they must comply with the court's decision to leave the country within a reasonable timeframe, otherwise they may face penalties. “At this point, he has decided that regardless of what the immigration appellate court rules—whether it accepts his appeal or not—he has made the decision to leave by the end of December and go to a third country,” Baghdasaryan told Azatutyun.

According to the US court's ruling, Vardan Ghukasyan violated the immigration laws of the country and must therefore leave. Additionally, the American court rejected the request of Armenian authorities to extradite Ghukasyan, who faces various criminal charges in Armenia, including extortion, incitement to violence, and issuing threats against judges. Ghukasyan, however, denies the allegations.

Although Baghdasaryan did not disclose which country Ghukasyan plans to go to, he did mention that the DOG leader has received invitations from five countries which will provide him with special visas, ensuring his residency and safety. “The final decision will be made after he leaves, and you will be informed about it,” Baghdasaryan added.

The lawyer, who has also been appointed as the head of the DOG electoral campaign headquarters, advised Ghukasyan not to wait for the appellate court's decision, which could take months, and to leave the Henderson detention facility. According to Baghdasaryan, being in freedom will allow Ghukasyan to be more actively involved in the parliamentary elections set for 2026.

Notably, the DOG coalition, which has already formed an alliance with several forces, has decided to participate in the parliamentary elections in about six months as a coalition. Despite his controversial television appearances, Vardan Ghukasyan will not be included on the DOG electoral list, but as his campaign manager noted, 'Dog' will play a key role.