How Many Citizens Over 27 Have Been Exempted from Mandatory Military Service for a Fee?

A total of 38 citizens of Armenia, who have reached the age of 27, have been exempted from mandatory military service in exchange for 532.5 million AMD and have been registered in the reserve of the Armed Forces of Armenia. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense in response to a written inquiry from Tert.am.

“In response to your inquiry addressed to the Minister of Defense of Armenia, we inform you that after the entry into force of Law HO-25-N on amendments and changes to the Law on Military Service and Status of Military Personnel on February 1, 2024, within the framework of Article 19, paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2 of the mentioned law, 38 citizens have paid a total of 532 million 500 thousand AMD to the state budget of the Republic of Armenia and have been exempted from mandatory military service, being registered in the reserve of the Armed Forces of Armenia,” the Ministry of Defense stated in their response letter.

The ministry also informed that of the 38 citizens, 3 paid 2.5 million AMD under Article 19, paragraph 1.1, while 35 paid 15 million AMD each under the provisions of paragraph 1.2 of the same article. Among the 38 citizens, 3 were located in the Republic of Armenia, while 35 were abroad.

It is noteworthy that Article 1.1 of the Law on Military Service and Status of Military Personnel states: “Male citizens who have reached the age of 27 but are under 37 can pay two million five hundred thousand AMD to the state budget of the Republic of Armenia instead of serving alternative service under the terms specified in the Law on Alternative Service and be exempted from mandatory military service.” Article 1.2 of the same law states: “Male citizens who have reached the age specified in the first part of this article and who have not served in the military or alternative service may voluntarily enlist for a period of 24 months or 12 months in mandatory military or alternative service by paying two million five hundred thousand AMD to the state budget of the Republic of Armenia before reaching the age of 37, or for reserve officers before reaching the age of 45.”