Armenian government not to extend amnesty-for-cash for draft dodgers
The Armenian government will not extend the amnesty-for-cash law for draft evaders effective until December 31.
The legislation enables young men who have turned 27 and have illegally evaded compulsory military service to pay a hefty amount of money to avoid criminal prosecution and legally return to Armenia.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan stressed the legislation has proved to serve as a tool to evade compulsory military service or to promote it.
He noted that many young men aged 18 rely on the regular extension of the amnesty law and avoid conscription by leaving Armenia, and then, after turning 27, they pay the penalty envisaged by the law and avoid criminal prosecution, which, the minister stated, is unfair towards those citizens who have fulfilled their constitutional obligations.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan underlined that the law will still be in force until December 31.
“And our dear compatriots who believe that it's not good that this law won’t be extended have the chance to buy plane tickets today, return to Armenia, pass all the procedures here and also celebrate New Year in Armenia,” Pashinyan said.