Armenia introduces paid military service

The Armenian Parliament has passed in the second and final reading the draft amendments to the law "On Military Service".

MPs from the Civil Contract voted for (61 votes), MPs from the “Armenia” faction voted against (27), and 6 abstained (the “I Have the Honor” faction), Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

According to the project, which was drafted by Civil Contract MP Hayk Sargsyan, Armenian citizens who failed to serve and left the country can return to Armenia after 27 years and be exempted from criminal prosecution if they serve for two years.

Under another option, they can serve 12 months and pay 2.5 million drams ($6,200), or, respectively, 6 months and 5 million drams ($12,400), 1 month and 10 million drams ($24,800), or 15 million drams ($37,000) without service.

Armenian citizens who obtained citizenship after the age of 27 are exempted from service if they have previously served in the army of another country for 12 months or more. Otherwise, they are exempted from service upon payment of 2.5 million drams ($6,200).