Consistent Behavior of Soldier Yurik Broyan: MoD Clarification

The press secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has released a clarification regarding a publication concerning Private Yurik Vanik Broyan that appeared in several media outlets.

“Yurik Vanik Broyan (born in 1999, drafted in 2018, Ararat Military Unit) was deemed fit for military service with restrictions following examinations conducted during the pre-draft period and was eligible for conscription during the winter draft of 2017. However, he failed to report to the military commissariat on his conscription day, thereby avoiding mandatory military service, which led to a criminal case being opened under Article 327, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. At the same time, Y. Broyan disagreed with the decision made about him and appealed it judicially; however, this was rejected by the administrative court, as the ruling was substantiated.

During the summer draft of 2018, Y. Broyan, after a follow-up examination, was again deemed fit for military service with restrictions and was conscripted into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Armenia. From the very first day of military service, he did not show any commitment and a few days later committed self-harm, thus expressing his dissatisfaction with his conscription.

This action, which resulted in self-harm, led to the initiation of a criminal case under Article 363, Part 1 of the Criminal Code.

The first instance of Y. Broyan being hospitalized occurred from September 4 to November 6, 2018, due to the self-harm he inflicted upon himself. All necessary clinical-laboratory and instrumental studies, as well as professional consultations, were conducted, and a clinical observation of his behavior was performed both within and outside of the observation field. His personal file was requested and examined.

On October 29, 2018, Y. Broyan was presented to the meeting of the MoD's Military Medical Commission by the hospital’s psychiatric department with a diagnosis of "Mild intellectual disability, adaptive reaction, and malstructured behavior", based on available medical documents and objective examination data, concluding that he was fit for military service with restrictions according to the requirements of Article 1G, 7G of the Armenian Government Decision No. 404-N dated April 12, 2018. However, after being discharged from the military hospital, Y. Broyan was not taken to the unit as he continued to exhibit the same problematic behavior and began to refuse to speak.

Immediately the next day, on November 7, 2018, he was transferred to a psychiatric dispensary, from where he was again referred to the psychiatric department of the MoD on November 16, 2018.

During the joint examination by the head of the psychiatric department and doctors, it was noted that he currently did not require treatment or re-evaluation in the psychiatric department. The soldier was returned to his unit. Nevertheless, unable to achieve the desired outcome and having been hospitalized again, Y. Broyan this time refused even food as a manifestation of protest, which led to a new referral to the psychiatric department of the MoD.

On November 22, 2018, he was again brought to the psychiatric department with a preliminary diagnosis of "Hysterical mutism" where, considering the notes in the medical record, presented complaints, and the possibility that stress factors could have caused a change in the soldier’s mental state, Y. Broyan was admitted for inpatient observation. Findings showed that his behavior within and outside the observation field was highly contradictory: he would crouch in the presence of the medical staff, walk slowly, respond to questions with head and shoulder movements, and refuse food, while outside the observation field he was calm, ate normally, watched television, and freely interacted with relatives during visits.

It is noted that the expression of such behavior has a significant direct influence from his mother, who presents threats, insults, and unfounded allegations against the treating physician and medical staff during almost all visits, claiming that she will take her son home at all costs. Additionally, she has frequently contacted various government agencies and lawyers with requests for the "immediate early dismissal of her son from service" and has recently filed a statement to the Military Police regarding her son not being properly examined in the hospital and that he is unfit for military service. No allegations have been confirmed by the superiors in any of these complaints.

A criminal case has been opened based on the report from the soldier’s mother alleging that one of the commanders beat Yurik Vanik Broyan.

Through the analysis of performed examinations, clinical and psychological observations, conclusion is drawn that he, as before, does not wish to serve in the Armed Forces of Armenia. It is particularly emphasized that such individuals have no place in the Armed Forces, as they tarnish the dignity of a soldier,” the clarification stated.