AMNESTY FOR DRAFT EVADERS ANNOUNCED IN ARMENIA

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000785 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR DRL AND EUR/CACEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL AM SUBJECT: AMNESTY FOR DRAFT EVADERS ANNOUNCED IN ARMENIA Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. (SBU) The Prosecutor General's Office announced on April 25 that it would suspend all criminal proceedings against young men who previously evaded military service but who report voluntarily for the spring draft. (Note: The current spring draft round started May 2, 2005. End Note.) The Prosecutor's Office has launched numerous criminal cases against draft evaders; all of whom are subject to arrest if located. According to the Prosecutor's Office, the proposed "amnesty" promotes the interests of both the State and the young men, who are assumed to be afraid to return to their country and are subject to persecution as illegal aliens abroad. The Prosecutor's Office noted that it conducts such amnesties on a regular annual basis, and as a result, a significant number of draft evaders present themselves to enroll in the military service. EVANS