LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a man in Las Vegas described as a political refugee.
Vardan Gukasian, 47, reported and blogged from his Las Vegas apartment up until two weeks ago.
He is now in an ICE facility in Henderson, waiting to see a judge, and his supporters say his case is a matter of life or death.
“If Mr. Gukasian ends up being in Armenia, his chance of survival decreases to zero,” Vardan Hakobyan, one of his supporters, told 8 News Now.
Supporters describe Vardan Gukasian as a free speech advocate. He has tens of thousands of followers on social media, but since his arrest, his voice has gone silent.
According to supporters, the 47-year-old was inside his apartment with his mom, when ICE agents showed up and took him to the Henderson Detention Center.
In a statement, an ICE spokesperson said, “Gukasian was arrested by ICE officers on Feb. 20 and placed into custody for his immigration proceedings. He entered the United States on Feb. 19, 2022, and failed to depart under the terms of his admission.”
An Armenian newspaper said in 2023 an international warrant was issued for his arrest and the Armenian government asked the US to extradite him.
Gukasian was reportedly charged with extortion, calls for violence, and contempt of court. But his supporters said he’s being charged for criticizing the Armenian government.
“Absolutely, no doubt,” Vardan Hakobyan said.
Gukasian saw a federal judge on Monday, Mar. 3, where people held up signs outside the downtown Las Vegas federal courthouse. They also attended his hearing.
Supporters said this case is about freedom of speech.
“A decision will be made by the judge. If it’s against Vardan Gukasian, it’s against Armenian people who wish to live in an independent country,” Hakobyan said.
Gukasian is scheduled to see a federal judge again Monday, Mar. 10, and his supporters plan to attend.
ICE reports all undocumented immigrants to receive legal due process when they’re being deported, and officers carry out removal decisions approved by a judge.
