ARMENIA: UPDATE ON CLAIMS OF RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000035

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, DRL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2015
TAGS: PHUM PGOV AM
SUBJECT: ARMENIA: UPDATE ON CLAIMS OF RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

REF: YEREVAN 19

Classified By: DCM A.F. Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) We reported reftel our initial investigation of an
allegation of religious persecution in Armenia's armed
forces. On January 11, we spoke with Levon Margaryan, Deputy
Board Member of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Armenia, about the
recent media claims that Armen Grigoryan was abused while
serving in the Armenian army. Margaryan stated that he
serves as Grigoryan's lawyer in the case. Margaryan
confirmed that Grigoryan was not a member of the Jehovah's
Witnesses nor was he on the way to becoming a member.
According to Margaryan, Grigoryan claimed he did not receive
his draft notice in May 2004. In June Grigoryan was called
by a military official and asked to report for a physical
examination. (Note: Unless the Ministry of Defense has
granted them a deferment, Armenian men are drafted during the
recruitment cycle immediately after their 18th birthday. For
Grigoryan, this would have been May 2004. Reporting for an
army physical before receiving a draft notice would be highly
unusual. End Note.) Margaryan reported that Grigoryan
claimed to be quite suprised when he was taken from the
doctor's office and sent to join recruits in Karabakh.
According to the lawyer, Grigoryan declared his conscientious
objection to military service for the first time after
arriving in Karabakh.


2. (C) Margaryan stated that Grigoryan was not kept under
guard and not forced to participate in military excercises
while with the military unit. During a visit by Margaryan
and Grigoryan's father, the commanding officer allowed
Grigoryan to leave the base with them for lunch. According
to Margaryan, a regional military investigator reported to
him that he had hit Grigoryan in order to "bring him up
right," but Margaryan also stated that Grigoryan's direct
supervisor intervened on several occasions to prevent abuse.
Grigoryan's lawyer alleged that when Grigoryan's commanding
officer went on vacation, the abuse increased and Grigoryan
left his unit without leave. Grigoryan is currently in
hiding.


3. (C) Margaryan stated that no Jehovah's Witness members
have been forced into the army in recent memory, but that
nine remained in prison as conscientious objectors despite
the newly adopted law on Alternatives to Military Service.


4. (C) This information authoritatively discredits
allegations made by the Norwegian NGO "Forum 18." While the
hazing described in paragraph 2 above is certainly
objectionable, it is, unfortunately, common for recruits in
post-Soviet armed forces.
EVANS