Ministry of Defence  denies reports of conscript being beaten

ArmInfo.  Human rights activist Zhanna Aleksanyan reported the brutal beating of a conscript  in the Armenian Armed Forces. The Armenian Ministry of Defence has  dismissed reports regarding the severe beating of a conscripted  soldier as untrue, while confirming the fact of his hospitalization.

Human rights activist Zhanna Aleksanyan had raised the alarm on her  Facebook page late in the evening on July 28, stating she received  reports that a 19-year-old conscript, identified as A.H., had been  severely beaten by an officer. According to the human rights  activist, his condition was so critical that he had to be transferred  to the "Kanaz" military hospital.

"The mother found her son unrecognizable, with a disfigured face and  experiencing hallucinations. The soldier was drafted into the army  six months ago and suffered from mental disorders. The incident took  place at the Jermuk military unit on July 22, about a week ago, but  no criminal case has been initiated yet, nor does it seem one will  be. According to the mother, the beating was committed by an officer.  I ask Ombudsperson Anahit Manasyan to respond to this extraordinary  incident. That is all for now, without further details," Aleksanyan  wrote.

The Armenian Ombudsman's Office responded promptly to her post. The  office's press secretary, Artur Aslalyan, promised to address the  matter shortly.

Amid a rising wave of public discontent, the Ministry of Defence of  Armenia also addressed the situation, stating that the information  did not correspond to reality. Aram Torosyan, Press Secretary of the  Ministry of Defence, stated that a social media user had  "disseminated information that does not reflect reality." "We urge  you to refrain from spreading false and unreliable information, as  well as groundless attempts to discredit the reputation of the army  among the public. Such publications mislead the public, contributing  to the spread of disinformation," Torosyan stated.

"The information regarding the severe beating of serviceman A.H., or  of any beating in general, is false. He was hospitalized in the  military hospital due to other health issues," Torosyan said, noting  that the agency is ready to accompany representatives of the  Ombudsman to the hospital to witness the reality on the ground  firsthand.

Torosyan added that the hospitalized serviceman is currently under  medical supervision and undergoing necessary examinations. "His  health is good, and there are no issues to worry about," he added.   However, the Ministry of Defence did not comment on whether the  conscript has mental health issues, or how, if that is indeed the  case, he was drafted into the army with such issues.