Disclosure of Processes for Exempting Military Service and Granting Deferrals by NSS

The employees of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia have revealed cases of receiving and giving particularly large bribes as a result of extensive operational and investigative measures. This was reported by the press center of the NSS.

According to preliminary data, it has been established that a former high-ranking officer of one military enlistment office and an accomplice, familiar with the intricacies of the office's operations and leveraging their connections among doctors, organized the provision of false medical diagnoses for a total of 9 conscripts and 4 draftees during the summer recruitment of 2019, in exchange for amounts ranging from $2,000 to $15,000. Based on these diagnoses, they facilitated processes for exempting these individuals from compulsory military service or granting them deferrals.

Additionally, it has been found that the accomplice of the former high-ranking officer was involved in the premature dismissal of two individuals serving in the compulsory military service under fictitious health issues. One of the doctors from the garrison hospital assisted him in this matter.

Criminal cases have been initiated in the investigative department of the NSS based on individual instances of the alleged crimes, in accordance with relevant articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. Three individuals have been charged based on sufficient evidence. The former high-ranking officer and his accomplice have been detained.

The NSS urges citizens to refrain from engaging in illegal activities aimed at evading military service. An investigation is underway.