Amnesty Declared for Those Avoiding Military Service: Bill Passed

The National Assembly of Armenia has passed a bill proposed by the government, which calls for declaring an amnesty for male citizens suspected, accused or convicted of crimes under Part 1 of Article 327, related to avoiding military service.

The bill was adopted unanimously with 83 votes in favor.

The proposed amnesty applies to individuals who are military servicemen or reserve officers and have avoided mandatory military or alternative service, provided they are 27 years old or older for privates and 35 years old or older for officers, counting from the day the law comes into force. Additionally, it targets those suspected or convicted of committing the offense of avoiding conscription for military or alternative service as stipulated in either Part 1 or Part 3 of Article 327 of the Criminal Code of Armenia.

The bill stipulates an amnesty that releases individuals from punishment if they fit the following criteria: 1. They have been sentenced to imprisonment; 2. They have received a conditional sentence, or their sentence has been postponed; 3. They have been sentenced to a non-custodial punishment.

Moreover, the bill proposes to terminate the supervision of individuals who have been conditionally released from serving their sentence as part of this amnesty.

The document also outlines conditions under which the amnesty will not be applicable.