The Armenian government has approved a legislative initiative that will tighten responsibility for avoiding military training assemblies.

Under the proposed amendments, a citizen who avoids these trainings may face a fine of up to twenty times the base amount, short-term imprisonment of up to two months, or imprisonment for a term of one to three years.

If the evasion involves self-inflicted injury, feigned illness, document forgery, or any other deceptive means, the penalty will be imprisonment from two to five years.

However, citizens who voluntarily appear and participate in the training will be exempted from criminal liability.

The legislative package defines various forms of training evasion by citizens, clarifies the elements of the criminal offense, increases penalties in cases involving illegal means, and specifies the authority of the Military Police.

The Cabinet has approved the government’s legislative initiative concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Law on Military Police of the Republic of Armenia.