Armenian military commissars arrested in $50,000 bribery scandal

Several military commission officials in Armenia have been arrested for receiving and facilitating bribes totaling $50,000.

The investigation revealed that A.V., head of the draft department of one military commission, colluded with heads of two other military commissions and several Ministry of Defence officials, including the Central Medical Commission. They received substantial sums from conscripts' relatives in exchange for service exemptions or deferments, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.

In one instance, A.V. and his accomplices received $25,000 in January 2024 from the relatives of a conscript, resulting in a medical commission granting a one-year deferment. Additionally, A.V. and two other military enlistment office heads, A.A. and S.A., along with S.A.'s chauffeur, G.G., accepted $15,000 to exempt another conscript from service.

In another case, A.V. accepted $5,000 from a conscript acquaintance to secure a six-month deferment. In a final incident, A.V. and his team received $5,000 to exempt a conscript from service due to alleged poor eyesight, with the involvement of an ophthalmologist.

A.V. has been charged with bribery, while A.A. and S.A. have been charged with aiding and abetting. All involved have been arrested, and the investigation of the nine defendants has been concluded, with the case now sent to court.