Only four of 40 deaths in Armenian army in 2024 caused by Azerbaijani  side - human rights activist 

ArmInfo. . One of the reasons for Armenian citizens to evade military service is the death of servicemen in non-combat conditions. Human rights activist of the  Vanadzor office of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Nazeli Movsesyan  shares this point of view. Speaking at a press conference on May 21,  she noted that in 2024 alone, out of 40 registered cases of death in  the Armed Forces, only 4 were the result of ceasefire violations by  the Azerbaijani side. Statistics for the past five years also show  that 75-80 percent of cases are deaths in non-combat conditions. All  these cases are well known to both conscripts and their parents, who  are trying to avoid service in the Armed Forces by any means  possible.

Speaking about the package of legislative initiatives aimed at  increasing the attractiveness of the service, Movsesyan pointed to  social injustice, since in this case the rich, who have accumulated  their capital, including through corrupt deals, will be able to buy  off their children from military service. In addition, according to  the human rights activist, the size of the buyoff is from 15 to 20  million drams, if divided by months over two years, the result will  be an amount equal to approximately 70 thousand drams, which those  undergoing active military service will be able to receive. This  amount, according to Movsesyan, does not correspond to the risks that  future soldiers of the Armenian Armed Forces may face.  

The RA National Assembly deputy from the ruling Civil Contract  faction Hayk Sargsyan introduced a draft amendment to the law "On  military service and the status of a serviceman", which will be  discussed at a government meeting on May 22. According to these  amendments, conscripts will be able to choose one of three options:  serve one month with a payment of 20 million drams, six months with a  payment of 15 million drams, or serve the full term - 24 months,  while receiving increased allowance at the expense of funds  contributed by other categories of conscripts. The draft also  provides for an increase in the maximum age for military service from  27 to 37 years. Another provision provides for a fee of 15 million  drams for men who changed their citizenship before the age of 18.  This will allow citizens over 27 years old who evaded military  service to avoid criminal liability.