With 69 votes “in favor”, the National Assembly of Armenia unanimously approved the amendments to the Criminal Code in the second and final reading during today’s parliamentary session.

Based on the amendments, there will be stricter punishments for certain actions committed during war.

In particular, evasion from fixed-term military service, training camps or mobilization during martial law or war shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of 6-12 years instead of the previous 4-8 years.

Those who avoid military obedience or avoid paying taxes during war, the maximum punishment for them is imprisonment for a term of 1-5 years instead of the previous 4 years.

In addition, desertion during martial law, war or combat situation shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of 8-15 years instead of the previous 6-12 years.

According to Deputy Minister of Defense Gabriel Balayan, who presented the bill, the reason for adoption of the bill is to make sure citizens refrain from committing such acts since there are already people against whom criminal cases have been instituted in regard to the aforementioned.