Rustam Badasyan Clarifies Exemptions from the Amnesty for Evasion of Military Service

The Acting Minister of Justice of Armenia, Rustam Badasyan, addressed the draft law approved by the National Assembly that proposes an amnesty for those who have evaded military service. He specified that this amnesty will not apply to individuals who evaded conscription during wartime.

Badasyan made this statement on his Facebook page, stating, "Responding to the requests of numerous citizens, we have expanded the scope of the amnesty. Beneficiaries of this amnesty will have the opportunity to voluntarily present themselves to criminal prosecution authorities or to the court if the case is in court, until December 31, 2021." He emphasized that the amnesty will not cover those who evaded conscription during wartime.

Badasyan highlighted that the purpose of the draft is to allow beneficiaries of the amnesty to contribute to the development of Armenia's economic, social, spiritual, and cultural sectors, with the aim of mitigating the post-war consequences and ensuring the stable development of the Republic of Armenia based on principles of humanitarianism and solidarity.

It is noteworthy that the draft proposes to declare amnesty for male citizens who have reached the age of 27 on the date the law enters into force and have evaded mandatory military or alternative service, as well as those suspected, charged, or convicted of violating Article 327, parts 1 or 3 of the criminal code pertaining to failing to appear for the scheduled call for military or alternative service.