Either service or imprisonment: Valeri Osipyan meets with Javakhk youth

Yesterday, youth from Javakhk protested at the Ninozminda-Bavra border checkpoint and today met with the Chief of Police of Armenia, Valeri Osipyan. One of the participants of the protest shared this in a conversation with a NEWS.am correspondent.

“Mr. Osipyan listened to our complaint and said that they would follow up on the issue and promised that we would receive an answer by Monday. We will wait until Monday, and if there is no response, then we will address the government. For the time being, we will not meet with anyone from the government,” the participant said, adding that they are currently halting their protests and waiting for the Police's response. If they find the response unsatisfactory, they will approach the Government and resume their protests.

It should be noted that they claim to be facing difficulties when returning home from Russia. Youth under the age of 27 who have dual citizenship and an Armenian passport find themselves in a situation where upon entry into Armenia, they must either enlist in the Armenian army or face imprisonment for a period of 5 years.

In a conversation with Tert.am, Henzel Mkoyan, the majoritarian MP from Ninozminda and Akhalkalaki, stated that already 10 youths have been arrested. They were detained upon entering Armenia and are being told to go serve in the army; otherwise, they are facing 5 years of imprisonment.