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MEMBERS OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES CONTINUE TO DODGE MILITARY SERVICE
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS: A deputy chief military prosecutor said
29 Armenians males were placed on the list of wanted persons after
they all refused to take either alternative military or alternative
labor mandatory services, envisaged by the law for persons who refuse
to serve in the regular army on religious grounds.
Mnatsakan Sarkisian, the deputy chief military prosecutor, said all
29 men are members of the Jehovah's Witnesses religious organization,
which encourages its male members to dodge the obligatory military
service.
He said unlike in the past, now the law envisages criminal prosecution
for such people. "Every male citizen of the Republic of Armenia must
know that he must have its mandatory military service, set by the
Constitution," he said.
He said 656 cases of dodging military service were registered in the
first six months of this year, down from 877 from a year ago.
Under the law, those who want to have alternative military (in the
army units) or alternative labor service (mainly in hospitals and
old-people's houses) have to file an application beforehand, Sedrak
Sedrakian, from the defense ministry said no applications were received
so far from those males who are to be called this autumn.
The law on alternative military service was enforced in 2004
March. The term of alternative military service is 36 months and that
of alternative labor service is 42 months, while the term of service
in the regular army is 24 months.
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS: A deputy chief military prosecutor said
29 Armenians males were placed on the list of wanted persons after
they all refused to take either alternative military or alternative
labor mandatory services, envisaged by the law for persons who refuse
to serve in the regular army on religious grounds.
Mnatsakan Sarkisian, the deputy chief military prosecutor, said all
29 men are members of the Jehovah's Witnesses religious organization,
which encourages its male members to dodge the obligatory military
service.
He said unlike in the past, now the law envisages criminal prosecution
for such people. "Every male citizen of the Republic of Armenia must
know that he must have its mandatory military service, set by the
Constitution," he said.
He said 656 cases of dodging military service were registered in the
first six months of this year, down from 877 from a year ago.
Under the law, those who want to have alternative military (in the
army units) or alternative labor service (mainly in hospitals and
old-people's houses) have to file an application beforehand, Sedrak
Sedrakian, from the defense ministry said no applications were received
so far from those males who are to be called this autumn.
The law on alternative military service was enforced in 2004
March. The term of alternative military service is 36 months and that
of alternative labor service is 42 months, while the term of service
in the regular army is 24 months.