President Sarkissian signs law on granting pardon to draft evaders

16:59,

YEREVAN, MAY 17, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian signed on May 17 the bill on granting pardon to draft evaders, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The government-backed bill was approved by parliament at the second reading with 83 votes in favor on May 6.

The pardon will be granted to those who evaded service before September 27, 2020 – the day when the 2020 Artsakh War began, and who are above the age of 27 (35 for reserve officers).

Those who are fugitives under the respective article of the penal code will also be granted pardon.

Editing by Aneta Harutyunyan

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS