We Have Well-Trained Youth, We Must Transfer That Resource to the Armed Forces – Andranik Kocharyan

The Chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Defense and Security, Andranik Kocharyan, believes that information about certain citizens participating in the opposition's rally—whose goal is the protection of Artsakh—should be transferred to the Armed Forces. He stated that these individuals could be involved in addressing defense challenges.

According to Armenpress, Kocharyan expressed this view during a working discussion organized by the committee, which was attended by the Deputy Chief of Police, the head of the Military Police, the head of the Ministry of Defense's conscription and mobilization service, and others.

Kocharyan had previously posted on his Facebook page, notably stating: "During these days, the Police of Armenia are regularly detaining citizens who have violated public order, some of whom are allegedly individuals attempting to avoid monthly training sessions and compulsory military service. Considering the above, I call on the Police and the National Security Service to collect data on these citizens and pass it to the Ministry of Defense, which, in turn, will use these 'well-trained' youth capable of following simple instructions to enrich our army's mobilization resource and engage them in maintaining the security of Armenia and Artsakh's borders."

He also promised to hold a working discussion on this topic in the committee. At the already organized meeting on May 5, Kocharyan mentioned: "I am convinced that the issue of Artsakh's defense should not be resolved in the center of Yerevan. Our Armed Forces have a problem with mobilization resources, and this issue has been in a neglected state for years. The shortcomings of the 44-day war have made this issue so evident that we do not have the time to leave this resource unregulated. I believe we have work to do here, especially as we see that we have well-trained youth who genuinely want to participate in resolving the Artsakh issue. If the goal is the protection of Artsakh, we must transfer that resource to our Armed Forces," he said, assessing the police's performance in maintaining public order during these days as excellent.

He added, "It would be good for these actions to conclude with an increase in our mobilization resource. I am aware that the three-month training sessions have begun and will continue. We all must participate in this with the intention and reasoning mandated by law." According to Kocharyan, these youths could be involved in addressing defense challenges and participate in the protection of the country's borders, aiding in fulfilling the defense tasks of Artsakh.