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| 20:38:49 | 06-07-2005 | Social |

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES RENOUNCE ALTERNATIVE MILITARY SERVICE

In contrast to the previous mobilization, this year no member of the
organization `Jehovah’s Witnesses’ went to the Gyumri mental hospital for
alternative military service. And the two believers, who had gone there in
spring of 2004, left the hospital without finishing their service, `Tsayg’
TV Company reports.

Witnesses of Jehovah Taron from Vanadzor and Sargis from Yerevan were
mobilized last year. At the beginning of their service they did not have any
complaints of the hospital. Nevertheless, according to the head of the
hospital Nadia Vardanyan, about a month ago they applied to them and said
that although they are pleased with the work and with the attitude of the
doctors towards them, they do not want to continue their service. The reason
was that they were against the control of the military police.

According to Nadia Vardanyan, a criminal case has been aroused and the boys
will probably be tried.