Custody proceedings initiated against Archbishop Arshak

The arrest and interrogation of Archbishop Arshak have concluded, lawyer Arsen Babayan reported.

“The Archbishop has been detained in order to bring him before the court for a custody ruling. I am certain I will be meeting Judge Masis Melkonyan tonight,” the lawyer said.

According to Babayan, Archbishop Arshak is accused of allegedly placing drugs in the bag of one of the individuals who protested against His Holiness in 2018. “We have never heard anything more absurd,” he emphasized.

Earlier, the Investigative Committee released details of the criminal proceedings under which the Archbishop was arrested.

“During the preliminary investigation, a public criminal prosecution was launched under Article 393, Part 2, Points 1 and 4 of the Criminal Code – illegal distribution of narcotic drugs by a group acting with prior agreement in a public place,” the Committee stated.