YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Armenia’s prosecutor general Aghvan Hovsepian reported on spring draft activities during a press conference Friday–stating that the board of the prosecutor’s office had urged garrisons and military prosecutors to step up control of military enlistment offices.
In his report military prosecutor of Armenia Gagik Jangirian noted that the spring draft–which took place from April 10 to June 10 was held in an orderly manner and was completed at 101 percent. Only two of the military enlistment offices–namely Etchmiadzin and Vanadzor–failed to fulfill the order.
More than 322 draftees–who dodged military service–were revealed and sent to military service during the 1998 spring draft. In the first half of 1998–529 criminal proceedings (against 1,321) were initiated in draft-dodging cases. Of the 359 criminal cases–the preliminary investigation into which has been completed–29 were sent to courts–while 330 dismissed.
During the investigation–more than 50 cases were uncovered of individuals who were wrongly categorized as "not fit for military service" or received wrongful defermen’s.
All were sent to military service–as a result of efforts by district prosecutor’s offices and interior ministry agencies.
On the other hand–510 draftees were discharged from military service for unsatisfactory health reasons–among them 49 suffering from tuberculosis–51 suffering from mental disorders–22 suffering nervous conditions–129 recovering from surgery–92 suffering from internal organ malfunctions and 58 suffering from vision disorders.
Regional and district medical commissions found fit and drafted 36 handicapped and five mentally retarded individuals.
The report also cited examples of criminal actions instituted against deceased draftees or individuals who had already served in the armed forces.
Prosecutor General Hovsepian said that the aforementioned breeches attested to the poor performance of district military enlistment offices.