Soldier Who Abandoned Unit for Nearly 10 Days Found Relaxing at Friend's House, Says Hovhannisyan

The soldier who voluntarily abandoned his military unit has been located by the military police, found relaxing at a friend's house. This was stated by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, Artsrun Hovhannisyan, in an interview with 'Armenian Time'.

It is noted that for nearly 10 days, Eric G., a conscript from the city of Vanadzor, had left his unit voluntarily. The military police had been searching for him throughout this period.

Hovhannisyan mentioned that a criminal case has been initiated regarding the incident. He also indicated that a service investigation is underway.

Naira Harutyunyan, head of the Information and Public Relations Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, informed us that the criminal case has been opened under Article 361, part 1: “The voluntary abandonment of a military unit or service location by a serviceman who is conscripted or serving on a contractual basis, as well as failing to report for duty on time without a valid reason for more than three days but no longer than one month, or three or more times within three months for periods not exceeding three days shall be punishable by imprisonment for a term of up to three years, or detention in a disciplinary battalion for up to two years.”