Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs commented on media reports claiming that Mkrtich Mkrtchyan, brother of newly appointed ambassador to the U.S. Narek Mkrtchyan, was arrested.
According to the ministry, on September 3, Patrol Service officers stopped a vehicle for inspection on Yerevanyan Street in Parakar, Armavir Province. The driver was arrested on the spot.
The passenger, however, fled the scene, throwing away items he had on him — a handgun and a powder-like substance. The driver was taken to the Vagharshapat police division, and a personal search revealed no illegal items.
The ministry added that measures are being taken to locate the fugitive passenger.
Earlier, several media outlets had reported that Mkrtich Mkrtchyan was the one 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.
