Military service must be encouraged - ex-minister 

ArmInfo.The draft amendments to the Law on Military Service is in line with the "peace agenda" of Armenia's government, Armenia's former minister of defense David  Tonoyan said as he commented on the government's initiative to reduce  the term of compulsory military service from 2 years to four and a  half months for those able to pay AMD 24mln (about $50,000) to the  state budget. 

"I and the Ministry of Defense have always been against the  initiatives. I consider the amendments unacceptable. Military service  has to be encouraged instead of 'buying one's child out' of serving  the Homeland. I wonder if the people buying their children out of the  'hardships' of military service will be named," he said as quoted by  his legal defense team. 

As regards his trial, Mr Tonoyan said that four court sittings have  taken place. 

"I am not concerned about the fact that the case has been sent to the  Anti-Corruption Court. But I can state that Judge Manvel Shahverdyan  was aware the case should be sent there back last April, when a  relevant amendment was introduced to the Judicial Code. I am  convinced that Judge Manvel Shahverdyan has been protracting the  proceedings for months to 'get rid' of this case. Moreover, by doing  so the judge disabled me from refuting the claims that I could  allegedly pressurize the witnesses and other participants in the  trial. And the only basis for keeping me in custody for about year is  this 'concern'," Mr Tonoyan said. 

Armenia's ex-minister of defense has been charged with  misappropriating $4.6mln. David Tonoyan is rejecting the charges.