VIDEO: It Will Not Be Possible to Be Exempted from Military Service for Cysts, Nocturia, and Several Other Cases

The Armenian Ministry of Defense will reduce the list of diseases for which conscripts are deemed unfit for military service. This decision was made during the government's meeting today.

From now on, individuals with mild intellectual disabilities, cranial bone issues, brain neoplasms such as cysts, and symptoms of nocturia will not be able to receive exemptions from military service.

Defense Minister Suren Papikyan announced during the government meeting that “the circumstances of the manifestation of the aforementioned diseases are suggested to be limited as fit for military service, as well as the limitations of military service are also established. In cases where cysts are present, restrictions will be set by the unit's physician. For those with nocturia, service will continue under a day shift status, while conscripts with a pedagogical disregard and without behavioral disturbances will not be included in combat duty, and operating vehicles and machinery will be prohibited.”

He noted that individuals with nocturia are still being drafted into the army, and the issue is about future exemptions from service, as statistical data indicates a progressive dynamic in the cases of releases due to the aforementioned conditions.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commented that when they look at the statistics, they see that irregularities are prevalent. “In many cases, we are guided by the optimistic presumption that if the matter concerns the homeland and patriotism, one should not be led by a presumption of guilt. However, when delving into the topics, you see that there are numerous loopholes,” he added.

For more details, watch the video.