Concerns Raised Over Rustam Badassian's Military Exemption Amid Corruption Risks

Marina Khachatryan, a neurosurgeon, member of CNS, WINS, WSSFN, and president of the Healthy Community NGO, has addressed a letter to the Minister of Defense of Armenia, Davit Tonoyan, the head of the Military Police, Arthur Baghdasaryan, and the director of the NSS, Arthur Vanetsyan.

“Dear representatives of the authorized bodies, according to information available on the internet, the Minister of Justice of Armenia, Rustam Badassian, has not served in the armed forces of Armenia. The reason for his exemption from service was a scoliosis of 30 degrees present in R. Badassian, which is classified as third-degree scoliosis. The diagnosis of this condition is carried out through direct examination and radiological assessment of the spine.

According to professional literature, in the case of third-degree scoliosis, one shoulder of the individual is ALWAYS higher than the other, and the posture is tilted. However, examining Rustam Badassian's pictures available on the internet, we conclude that R. Badassian's posture is straight, and his shoulders are at the same height.

The treatment methods for scoliosis can be conservative or surgical. Conservative treatment includes manual therapy, therapeutic physical education, and medical manipulations using corsets. However, R. Badassian is actively engaged not in therapeutic physical education but in sports, playing tennis, squash, and so on.

Rustam Badassian's father, Vladimir Badassian, served as the first deputy head of the 6th department of the Police of Armenia during those years. R. Badassian's godfather, police Major General Vardan Yeghiazaryan, served for many years as deputy chief of the Police of Armenia.

Considering the above, I believe that the exemption of the Minister of Justice of Armenia, Rustam Badassian, from mandatory military service poses corruption risks. I demand the establishment of a professional commission, which should include me as a neurosurgeon. The commission members should be tasked with examining Rustam Badassian's health status, all relevant documents, and the grounds for his exemption from mandatory military service,” the letter states.