Armenian MP presents bill that allows army dodgers to buy off criminal liability
YEREVAN, November 14. /ARKA/ Armenian MP Hayk Sargsyan from PM Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party, presented today to lawmakers a bill that calls for allowing male citizens over 27 years old who have not served in the armed forces to be exempted from criminal liability, stipulated by the current legislation, by paying a hefty amount of money.
The Armenian law requires virtually all men aged between 18 and 27 to serve in the armed forces for two years.
According to the bill, drafted by Sargsyan, citizens from 27 to 37 years old who did not serve in the armed forces are given a set of options such as:
1) to serve 24 months,
2) to serve 12 months and pay 2.5 million drams (about $6,200),
3) to serve 6 months and pay 5 million drams (about $12.4 thousand),
4) to serve 1 month and pay 10 million drams (almost $25,000),
5) to pay 15 million (about $37.5 thousand) and do not serve.
"Ten million drams is approximately the amount that a contract serviceman will receive for 2 years of service. This is the amount that will allow to attract one more contract serviceman with a monthly salary of more than 400 thousand drams," Sargsyan explained during a press conference in the parliament.
Sargsyan said while drafting the bill he examined related legislation of other countries, in particular, Turkey and Kazakhstan. He cited neighboring Georgia where, he said, law allows young men to avoid military service in return for a payment.
Sargsyan argued that if the bill goes through the parliament many draft dodgers, who are outside the country, would return to their homeland.
As for the position of the Defense Ministry, Sargsyan noted that it had no objections during preliminary discussions. Nevertheless, it has yet to issue an official conclusion.
The MP said the bill if adopted would apply to about 5,000 army dodgers. According to the current legislation, Armenian citizens aged 27 to 37 who dodged the mandatory military service are subject to criminal liability. These persons are exempted from criminal liability only after reaching the age of 38. -0-
