  Out of all religious groups only Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid military service April 5, 2011 - 14:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The head of center of rehabilitation and assistance to the victims of destructive cults, Alexander Amaryan said that out of all religious groups only Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid military service. In many cases, it is advantageous for Jehovah’s Witnesses to avoid military service, Amaryan told a press conference in Yerevan. “These people are sentenced to maximum 2-year imprisonment, they spend only 1/3 of this term in prison, after which they emigrate from Armenia as prisoners of conscience and get privileges abroad,” Amaryan said, adding that many similar cases were recorded in Armenia. According to him, Jehovah’s Witnesses also refuse to serve an alternative military service. Amaryan noted that currently there are at least 170 Jehovah’s Witnesses among draft dodgers in Armenia.   Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18.   Partner news |  Latest news Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals  Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation.Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan.Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year.Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |
