The law on Armenian citizens who haven’t passed compulsory military service through violation of the prescribed order hasn’t been in effect for a long time, and according to the existing legislation, all Armenian citizens who are abroad and are wanted for not serving in the army can only be brought to justice and be sent to jail. This is what deputy of the My Step faction of the National Assembly of Armenia Mkhitar Hayrapetyan told reporters in parliament today.

According to him, this is what compelled him to find new solutions and introduce a bill.

“There have been hundreds of applications sent from people asking deputies to find a solution. A year ago, we declared that we will find a new solution that will be institutional, but the parliament postponed discussions on the law, and we came back with new solutions. Our aim is to use the resource that we have abroad and give Diaspora Armenians an opportunity. Citizens of Armenia who have attained the age of 27 can return to Armenia and pay the amounts of the two-year salary of a contractual serviceman plus surcharges which will make up AMD 5-5.5 million, but if those citizens wish to get enlisted in the army in the course of the next three years, they will get the money back,” Mkhitaryan said, adding that he’s not sure whether the Ministry of Defense will approve of this since it’s clear that the ministry will have its clear position on any decision regarding finance for exemption from military service.