YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Police Force confirmed the news that the police have detained Armen Muradyan (a.k.a. Shlam), and his friend Asatur Arustamyan, on suspicion of drug possession. Muradyan is a key figure at Ararat Cement Factory, which belongs to ruling coalition’s Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Chairman, and businessman, Gagik Tsarukyan.

A criminal case is launched on charges of illegal trafficking of drugs, or psychotropic substances, but without selling. An investigation is underway, Police Force Press Service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.    

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, on Friday, the police detained Armen Muradyan (a.k.a. Shlam), on suspicion of drug possession. Muradyan is a key figure at Ararat Cement Factory, which belongs to ruling coalition’s Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Chairman, and businessman, Gagik Tsarukyan, Hraparak daily wrote. According to the daily, Shlam is the Factory product’s main seller, and he owns close to thirty cement trucks. “Perhaps this [arrest] should likewise be observed against the background of the [coalition’s Republican Party of Armenia] RPA-PAP conflict. In fact, the political battle is smoothly passing on to the criminal turf. Our sources say there will be a new wave of singling outs against PAP, in the coming weeks,” Hraparak wrote.