VIDEO: Criminal Group Uncovered for Providing Illegal Draft Exemptions to Conscripts

The Investigative Committee of Armenia, in collaboration with the Military Counterintelligence Department of the National Security Service, has uncovered a criminal group engaged in illegal actions to provide draft exemptions to conscripts in exchange for substantial bribes during scheduled military enlistments.

As a result of operational measures and simultaneous searches at over ten addresses carried out with the participation of members of the investigative group and officers from the Military Counterintelligence, a complete chain of interdependent actions by the members of the criminal group was revealed, marking one of the largest recent disclosures.

Specifically, the head of the draft division of the Territorial Subdivision of the Ministry of Defense’s Draft and Mobilization Service, V.M., reached a preliminary agreement with the founder-director of a private medical center, A.M. Through A.M., he aimed to provide a person diagnosed with a "Arachnoid Cyst" in place of his drafted conscripts for examination, alongside presenting forged diagnostic reports under the names of the conscripts.

Subsequently, using his official powers and the influence stemming from them, V.M. included the examination reports in the personal files of the respective conscripts to grant them draft exemptions from mandatory military service.

To fulfill the agreement with V.M., A.M. acquired preliminary consent from S.V., N.H., and E.H., who had health issues confirmed by a diagnosis of an "Arachnoid Cyst." E.H. underwent MRI examinations at various medical centers in place of the designated conscripts, resulting in the issuance of diagnoses granting exemptions from the draft.

For organizing and executing this process, division head V.M. demanded and received substantial bribes of 25,000 USD equivalent to approximately 9,762,743.2 Armenian Drams for each conscript, totaling about 29,288,229.6 AMD equivalent to 75,000 USD, with 2,000 to 3,500 USD transferred to A.M. for each case.

On July 6, 2023, V.M. was charged with committing three episodes of receiving substantial bribes as stipulated in Article 435, Part 3, Subpart 3 of the RA Criminal Code. In relation to the same criminal proceedings, charges were also filed against A.M., V.S., E.H., N.M., and L.G. As a measure of restraint, V.M. and N.M. have been subjected to arrest.

Evidence has been gathered during the pre-trial investigation regarding the criminal group receiving substantial bribes equivalent to 25,000 USD from five additional conscripts for draft exemptions in the same manner between December 2022 and July 2023, and necessary investigative and procedural actions are being carried out to clarify the factual circumstances.

Note: An individual charged with a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty by a final court judgment in accordance with the laws governing criminal proceedings in Armenia.