DOC party: Ghukasyan still in custody, circulating video is old

PanARMENIAN.Net - The DOC party issued a statement regarding a video circulating online that shows Vardan Ghukasyan, claiming he had returned to his former residence and was drinking coffee in the United States.

The party clarified that the footage is not recent.

“The video showing Vardan Ghukasyan is not new; it was filmed a year ago. We urge all media outlets and users to note this when sharing, so that people are not misled and facts are understood correctly,” the statement said.

The party also explained that September 12 was only the deadline set by the judge for the parties to submit written positions.

“September 12 was merely a deadline for written submissions. The verdict will be decided and published solely by the court, and no one can know the date in advance. At this moment, there is no ruling. Once it is issued, we will immediately announce it,” the statement added.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Ghukasyan was arrested on February 20 for immigration violations. He had entered the United States on February 19, 2022, but failed to leave within the permitted timeframe. In addition to the immigration case, the court must also review Armenia’s 2023 request for his extradition.