Statistics on how many Armenian citizens have evaded mandatory military service

Armenian National Assembly member Haik Sarksyan from the 'Civil Contract' faction previously introduced a legislative initiative. The legislator proposes amendments to the 'Law on Military Service and the Status of Military Servicemen,' as well as changes to 'The Law on State Duties' and the 'Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.'

Results from the last decade indicate that only 30 to 40 percent of those summoned for mandatory military service actually enlist. Earlier, Haik Sarksyan suggested that for male citizens under 18 years old, the basic fee for changing citizenship should be set at 15 million drams.

Statistics show that between 2020 and 2024, 8,721 male citizens under 18 years old have renounced their Armenian citizenship. They leave for medical treatment, education, or other purposes and do not return until after they turn 27 or 37 years of age (from 2010 to 2024, 2,494 criminal cases under Article 461 of the Armenian Criminal Code, previously Article 327, have been closed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for criminal responsibility).

To avoid military service, individuals prepare documents for health conditions that are incompatible with military service. More than 80 percent of those who received deferments or were exempted from service are attributed to health-related issues.