Serious problems in muster of reservists for military training -  opposition rep

ArmInfo.Serious problems have arisen in the process of conscripting reservists for military training. This was stated by Gegham Manukyan, a member of the  National Assembly from the opposition "Armenia" faction, from the  podium of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on  September 30, commenting on the amendments to the Criminal Code and  the law "On Military Police" submitted by the Armenian government for  the second reading.

According to the opposition member, the 25-day conscription itself  affects every citizen and every family.  However, despite the  constant tightening of legislation regarding draft dodgers over the  past two years, problems remain. This is due to the fact that the  number of draft dodgers is quite significant, indicating a lack of  confidence and security among conscripts. The absence of these  citizens from their jobs and families also plays a significant role.  "The whole point is that these gatherings aren't training exercises;  they're intended to send reservists on combat duty 10 days after the  call-up. Thus, the very concept of training gatherings has been  discredited. It must be assumed that the reservist gathering system  was not implemented out of necessity. This also speaks to the  existence of problems with combat duty," the deputy noted, pointing  to the fact that a member of the Council of Elders in one of the  settlements was called up to participate in meetings, vote, and so  on.

The opposition leader also pointed out problems with military  uniforms, for which reservists were being charged 43,000 drams. This  issue was subsequently resolved, but the reservist was strictly  ordered to keep the uniform for three years. It should be noted that,  according to the amendments, the Military Police will be granted new  powers. Presenting the amendments, RA Deputy Defense Minister Arman  Sargsyan noted that military police officers will be empowered to  search for individuals evading conscription and training.  The draft  defines the forms of evasion, clarifies the description of the  criminal act, and increases penalties for evading training under a  number of unlawful circumstances. According to the Deputy Minister,  the current legislation contains certain problems. For example, the  Criminal Code contained a concept of "evasion" that was not defined.  It was unclear what exactly was meant by this term. This, in turn,  created various problems in criminal proceedings. "The Military  Police will be able to provide support to military commissariats. For  example, by identifying individuals who failed to report for military  service, those required to participate in training camps, or those  who evaded military service," Sargsyan said.  Furthermore, the  provisions have been tightened to address evasion committed through  self-inflicted injuries, feigning illness, document forgery, or  fraud. The Military Police will also be authorized, upon written  request from criminal prosecution agencies, to transport and escort  military personnel detained or arrested during criminal proceedings  to locations to participate in necessary investigative and procedural  actions. Evasion itself will be punishable by a fine of 15,000 to  30,000 drams, or short-term imprisonment for no more than two months,  or imprisonment for one to three years.