Soldiers paying 10 million AMD and serving for one month will get military booklets too: My Step lawmaker

My Step lawmaker Hayk Sargsyan speaking to reporters today explained that the legislative initiative offered by him is aimed at bringing back the Armenian citizens who left the country to avoid mandatory military service.

He said according to the 2005 law people aged 27 may return to Armenia and not be subjected to criminal responsibility after paying 3,6 million AMD.

“I offer our citizens return homeland earlier than they become 27, pay 10 million AMD and serve in expedited order,” Sargsyan said.

He said the bill targets three groups – Armenian citizens living abroad, citizens who are planning to emigrate until the drafting age and Armenians not having Armenia's citizenship.

Sargsyan said the bill mainly targets counterparts of Diaspora.

Asked whether those who will serve this way will get military booklet, Sargsyan said, “Yes, they will.”

As to how he imagines the mobilization in military condition, Sargsyan said that a citizen who avoided or is going to avoid the service does not return anyway.

“By bringing him to homeland we give him an opportunity to serve. He is being included in the reserve and during mobilization he is obliged to show up, otherwise he will be criminally persecuted,” Sargsyan said.