Conscripts bought false diagnoses to avoid service in Armenia

Doctors and military commissariat staff caught up in the latest corruption scandal

More than 40 Armenian conscripts exchanged bribes for postponements or exemptions from serving in the armed forces in 2018. The National Security Service found out that the main actor of the criminal scheme was the former serviceman of the Republican precinct of the Ministry of Defense, Kolya Kosakyan. He used his connections among the staff of military commissariats and doctors.

“The youth were given a non-existent diagnosis, postponement or fully released from service in the army,” the NSS said.

Kosakyan provided conscripts with directions to civilian hospitals where they were given false diagnoses for a pay-out of up to USD 14 thousand per bribe.

Kolya Kosakyan and members of his group were assisted by doctors from different medical centres and former and current employees of military commissariats who received parts of the sum.

Security officials questioned dozens and carried out 20 searches as part of a criminal case which had been launched. The investigation uncovered medical records of conscripts and other relevant documents, as well as certain amounts of money.

Charges have now been brought against three of the scheme’s participants who have been placed under arrest. The investigation continues in search of more accomplices and details.