SOME 235 ARMY DODGERS PAY CASH TO BUY FREEDOM

ARMENPRESS
Oct 29 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS: Some 235 Armenian males, aged 27 and
above who were on the ‘wanted’ list for avoiding mandatory military
service, bought their freedom from prosecution during the spring
military call-up by paying to the government 265 million Drams.

The law allowing military dodgers to buy freedom was enforced in
2004. It stipulates that amnesty can be applied to those age 27
or older.

Under the law, dodgers whose fathers or brothers died during military
service are exempted from fines.

Also, those who have three or more children and those who have two
children growing up without a mother are exempted.

According to Armenian prosecutor-general, Aghvan Hovsepian, since
the enactment of this law, the country’s budget has earned 1.6
billion Drams.

The chief prosecutor was speaking to reporters after inauguration of
a new building of the military prosecutor’s office in the northwestern
province of Shirak.

Hovsepian said an in-depth look into the spring call-up revealed
a number of violations of law regarding the medical examination
of conscripts. He said a repeat examination found that some of the
conscripts were physically unfit for military service, while those
who were exempted from it by doctors of the special medical commission
proved to be quite fit.

The chief prosecutor reiterated that all those who are avoiding
military service will not be prosecuted if they turn in for mandatory
service.
From: Baghdasarian