Encouraging Soldier Suicide to Receive Maximum Punishment, Zohrabyan

NAIRA ZOHRABYAN, a member of the Armenian National Assembly from the Bright Armenia bloc, stated on her Facebook page: "Encouraging a soldier to commit suicide will receive maximum punishment. Just moments ago, the parliament unanimously voted in favor of the amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia presented by my colleagues and me, which provides severe penalties and significant imprisonment for all individuals involved in military service who, by humiliating a soldier or officer and insulting their dignity, push them towards suicide.

It is horrifying that we have fewer deaths in the army from enemy bullets than from non-regulatory and improper relationships, such as 'dedovshina', 'parochni krug', and other manifestations of military subculture.

After the final adoption of the law, we will be present in all military units one by one, presenting the significant changes that have been made. And this is just the first step. Systematic work must begin against the military subculture, and each of us has a role to play in this.

In the near future, I will present to the Ministry of Defense our vision for preventing, or at least reducing, such phenomena, which, of course, is based on successful international experience. I thank all factions of the parliament for supporting this important initiative."