Citizens who avoided military service may return back, pay fine and be relieved of criminal persecution

Secretary of the Bright Armenia faction Gevorg Gorgisyan submitted today a bill at the NA’s Defense Security Affairs Standing Committee on making changes in the law on citizens who illegally avoided mandatory military service.

With the submitted bill Gorgisyan offers to replace the words “2017 December 1” with “2018 December 31” which will give an opportunity to the citizens who have already become 27 years old return to Armenia pay the set fine in accordance with the existing procedures and free from criminal persecution.

Gorgisyan said that a proposal was made to change the date to 2019 March 1 which will involve longer period.

The MP said the Defense Ministry is planning to adopt a new policy regarding this issue.

“I do not think changing dates every year is an effective solution to the issue,” Gorgisyan said.

My Step MP Sasun Mikayelyan claimed that it is not a good idea to take money and say, “good for you, for not serving in the army.”

Gorgisyan said he discussed the issue with the defense minister Davit Tonoyan, who said a systematic solution would be given to the issue, which though is being delayed.

Chairman of the committee Andranik Kocharyan said that as a result of periodical changes in the law 9,800 citizens have returned to Armenia since 2003 and paying the sum were released of criminal responsibility.

As of now, there are 3,225 citizens from 27 to 35 years old searched for avoiding the mandatory military service. After 35 years old the criminal persecution is suspended.

“We need a solution that will result in return of as much citizens as possible. But of course we must not harm the military draft process and the defense system,” Kocharyan said.