The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division issued the following statement:

On 11/4/2023, an unidentified person stole from a glass box placed near the altar of St. Demetrius Church in Achrafieh the main icon of the church, dating back to before 1860, then escaped to an unknown location.

On 4/18/2023, after active field actions, internal security forces managed to identify the perpetrator and arrest him in Achrafieh where the stolen icon was seized.

The icon has since been handed over to concerned parties in the parish of St. Demetrius and the perpetrator has been referred to competent authorities.