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