Armenia approves stricter penalties for military service evasion

The Armenian government approved a draft law aimed at imposing tougher criminal penalties on individuals who evade compulsory military or alternative service, as well as those who fail to attend military training.

The legislation was discussed and endorsed during a government session, with the objective of curbing the growing number of cases of military service evasion, Caliber.Az reports citing Armenian media.

The bill, which seeks to amend Articles 461 and 462 of Armenia’s Criminal Code, proposes a significant increase in the penalties for military service evasion. Under the new provisions, the prison sentence for evasion from compulsory military or alternative service will rise from a range of 2 to 5 years to 3 to 6 years. Additionally, individuals who evade military training will face imprisonment of 1 to 3 years, accompanied by substantially higher fines.

Government officials have cited the alarming rise in the number of military service evaders as the primary reason for introducing these stricter penalties. Official reports indicate that the number of criminal cases related to military service evasion has increased sharply in recent years. In 2023, some 1,499 criminal cases were initiated, while in 2024, this figure surged to 1,779 cases. This upward trend has prompted the authorities to revise the country’s criminal policy and adopt more stringent measures against those who refuse to fulfill their national defence duties.

The bill’s justification underscores the urgent need for stronger legal deterrents to address what it describes as an ongoing and concerning issue. As part of the broader push to maintain national security and ensure compliance with military obligations, the Armenian government aims to curb the growing trend of evasion through these legislative amendments.

The proposed law has yet to be enacted, pending further legislative procedures. However, if passed, the tougher penalties are expected to serve as a deterrent against military service evasion.

By Vafa Guliyeva