The Scope of the Last Amnesty Extends Even to Some Particularly Serious Offenses, Marukyan

Recently, the "Enlightened Armenia" faction submitted a written request to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, proposing to initiate an amnesty for offenses stipulated in parts 1 and 2 of Article 327 of the Armenian Criminal Code. This was announced by the head of the faction, Edmon Marukyan, during a Facebook live broadcast on February 10.

He specifically stated: “Recently, the 'Enlightened Armenia' faction submitted a written request to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, suggesting to initiate an amnesty for offenses stipulated in parts 1 and 2 of Article 327 of the Armenian Criminal Code. According to data obtained from the investigative committee, if declared, the amnesty will apply to 3,647 male citizens.”

The law of the Republic of Armenia concerning “citizens who have not undergone mandatory military service in violation of established procedures” expired on December 31, 2019, and has not been extended. Consequently, at present, there are 3,647 male citizens over the age of 27 (non-conscripts) who are wanted, as the aforementioned law does not apply to them and, therefore, upon returning to the country, they will be subjected to criminal liability.

Naturally, none of them will want to return—at least not until the statute of limitations specified by the criminal code expires. Thus, the demographic problem will only deepen, while these citizens could return and become reserve soldiers, start families, have children, work here, and contribute to the prosperity of their homeland.

According to Article 117 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the National Assembly, upon the proposal of the government and by a majority of the votes of the total number of deputies, can adopt a law on amnesty. Accordingly, factions or individual deputies of the National Assembly cannot submit a project on amnesty. Such an initiative can only be addressed to the National Assembly by the government.

It should also be noted that the last amnesty extended even to some particularly serious offenses, while evasion from mandatory military service or alternative service, training sessions, or mobilizations (only parts 1 and 2 of Article 327) is considered a medium-weight offense.