Ruling Republican Party of Armenia Vice President Razmik Zohrabyan sees nothing out of the ordinary regarding the recent arrest of several members of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) on suspicion of drug trafficking.

“A few people, party members, have been charged. Members of our party and other political organizations could be charged with the same violations as well. The issue shouldn’t be politicized,” said Zohrabyan.

When asked if political parties could screen members for drug trafficking, Zohrabyan responded that there are no such drug facilities were potential party members could be tested for drugs before being admitted.

“A person comes forth and says he believes in the ideals of this or that party. If later on it turns out that the person is an alcoholic or drug addict, then they are removed,” he noted.

Zohrabyan said the arrests of the PAP members weren’t the result of a political witch hunt and that his party’s relations with the PAP, a governing coalition member, were quite normal.

He said that the Republican Party would never knowingly accept alcoholics or drug addicts as members.