Armenia facing grave conscription-related problems - MP

ArmInfo. Armenia is facing serious problems related to conscription for active military service. This was stated at a press conference on May 21 by Hayk Sargsyan, a  member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia from the  ruling Civil Contract faction, commenting on the initiative he  presented aimed at reducing the number of draft dodgers. 

According to Sargsyan, the law should have been adopted much earlier  given the current situation with conscription, however, it is better  late than never. The deputy noted that often males under the age of  16 are registered with military registration and enlistment offices,  but after the specified period they are removed from the register,  having received a passport of another state, and, thus, avoid service  in the RA Armed Forces. There will be no such draft dodgers in  2024-2025. there are about 8700. According to the bill, its author  continued, when changing citizenship, it is proposed to establish a  state fee of 15 million drams, which will prevent such developments  in the future. At present, citizens of the country pay only 25  thousand drams to change citizenship. The funds received are planned  to be used to increase the allowance, which currently amounts to 3400  drams, of those soldiers who continue to serve.

Sargsyan emphasized that evasion of military service is primarily due  to geopolitical and regional developments. At the same time, citizens  of the country turn to various official and unofficial persons with  requests for "assistance", receiving medical certificates for health  reasons, which allows them to avoid service in the ranks of the Armed  Forces, or simply leave the country, allegedly for the purpose of  study or treatment. Currently, about 10 thousand evaders who are  wanted are outside the country. Of this number, about 5 thousand  people are young people under 27. The proposed initiative, as  Sargsyan noted, is primarily aimed at preventing the process of  evasion of service and increasing the number of conscripts.

Hayk Sargsyan, a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of  Armenia from the ruling Civil Contract faction, introduced a draft  amendment to the law "On Military Service and the Status of a  Serviceman", which will be discussed at a government meeting on May  22. According to these amendments, conscripts will be able to choose  one of three options: serve one month with a payment of 20 million  drams, six months with a payment of 15 million drams, or serve the  full term - 24 months, while receiving increased allowances at the  expense of funds contributed by other categories of conscripts. The  draft also provides for an increase in the maximum age for military  service from 27 to 37 years. Another provision provides for a fee of  15 million drams for men who changed their citizenship before the age  of 18. This will allow citizens over 27 years old who evaded military  service to avoid criminal liability.