Parliament Adopts Controversial Bill Regarding Individuals Over 27 Who Avoid Military Service

The National Assembly has adopted in its second reading and entirely the bill authored by Hayk Sargsyan, a member of the "Civil Contract" faction, which concerns individuals over 27 who have avoided military service. The bill received support from 61 MPs, opposed by 27, with 6 abstentions.

The proposal allows citizens over the age of 27 who have not completed mandatory military service to avoid criminal liability by taking one of the following options: serving for two years, serving for one year and paying 2.5 million drams to the state budget, serving for six months and paying 5 million drams, serving for one month and paying 8 million drams, or paying 15 million drams in lieu of military service.

Additionally, the bill proposes that males acquiring Armenian citizenship after reaching the age of 27 be subject to mandatory military conscription. They can either serve for 12 months in the armed forces or pay 2.5 million drams to the state budget.

The government's position was presented by Deputy Minister of Defense Arman Sargsyan, who requested MP Hayk Sargsyan to refrain from imposing a one-year mandatory military service obligation or the alternative of paying 2.5 million drams to the state budget on individuals who turn 27 and acquire Armenian citizenship.

The bill will come into effect within 10 days after its publication.