On September 8, Armenia’s National Assembly reviewed a draft bill aimed at tightening penalties for avoiding mandatory military training exercises and expanding the powers of the Military Police. The initiative was introduced by Deputy Defense Minister Arman Sargsyan, CivilNet reports.
One of the key goals is to amend Article 462 of the Criminal Code to clearly define what constitutes evasion. Under the proposed changes, evasion would include not only failing to appear at the military commissariat but also refusing medical examination or declining participation by other means.
Proposed penalties include fines or short-term imprisonment of up to two months, and prison terms ranging from one to three years.
In cases involving aggravating circumstances—such as deliberate self-harm, feigning illness, or using forged documents—the law would impose harsher penalties of two to five years in prison.
The draft also introduces an incentive mechanism: individuals who voluntarily join training before its completion would be exempt from criminal liability.
The second part of the legislative package revises the role of the Military Police. Until now, its primary mission was to prevent and disrupt crimes, but the new provisions would also authorize it to investigate and uncover offenses.
Additionally, the Military Police would assist in organizing conscription, mobilization, and training exercises, providing support to military commissariats.
Deputy Minister Sargsyan explained that the proposed law clarifies and expands the Military Police’s authority to include detection, investigation, and direct involvement in enlistment and readiness activities.
