No suspicious items found on ambassador’s brother during arrest

PanARMENIAN.Net - Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan clarified details of the arrest of Armenia’s new ambassador to the U.S. Narek Mkrtchyan’s brother, saying the investigation will establish the facts.

Speaking to Radar Armenia, Sargsyan noted that once criminal proceedings were initiated, the case was no longer under the jurisdiction of the Interior Ministry. The Investigative Committee will decide on the further course of action.

Addressing the incident, she said: “The investigation will answer whether it was Narek Mkrtchyan’s brother who handed the bag to his friend, or if it actually belonged to the friend.”

According to Sargsyan, the driver of the car — who turned out to be the ambassador’s brother — was detained but had no prohibited items on him. “Since the passenger fled, discarding a pistol and a powder-like substance, it was only logical for the Patrol Service to detain the driver. He was taken to the Vagharshapat police division, and nothing suspicious was found on him. Search efforts continue for the other individual,” she explained.

On September 3, Patrol Service officers stopped a vehicle in Parakar, Armavir Province. While the driver was detained and taken in for questioning, the passenger escaped, abandoning a gun and a powder-like substance. Media outlets earlier reported that Mkrtich Mkrtchyan, the ambassador’s brother, had been arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs and an illegal weapon. Narek Mkrtchyan, Armenia’s former labor and social affairs minister, was appointed ambassador to the U.S. on August 27.