Servicemen join protesters in Tavush: criminal investigation launched 

ArmInfo. Based on information about the apparent refusal of a group of military personnel to 

perform some of the duties of military service, criminal proceedings 

have been initiated.

According to the Investigative Committee of Armenia, a message was 

received from the military police of the country's Ministry of 

Defense that on April 26, 2024, at around 23:30, after studying video 

materials circulating on the Internet, it became clear that at the 

same time a group of servicemen from military unit N The Armenian 

Ministry of Defense joined the "demonstrators united for political 

reasons who gathered on the Kirants-Voskepar road in Tavush region," 

stating that they laid down their arms, meaning the refusal to 

perform certain duties of military service and from this moment, 

having actually stopped performing them, joined to the demonstrators.

It is noted that an investigative group has been formed in criminal 

proceedings, urgent investigative and other operational actions are 

being carried out in order to clarify the circumstances of the case 

and the circle of persons involved in the case.

The Investigative Committee also declares that it will be consistent 

and fulfill its functions provided for by the legislation of the 

Republic of Armenia in every case of a crime against the procedure 

for military service.

"At the same time, we urge conscripts of the RA Ministry of Defense 

under contract and conscription to strictly comply with the 

requirements of RA legislation, including the military regulations, 

conscientiously fulfill their duties in military service, exercise 

restraint and not succumb to provocations, manipulative actions, 

statements and political appeals individuals," the Investigative 

Committee of Armenia said.

It should be noted that late the night before, a group of 20 contract 

military personnel, after clashes between Tavush residents who 

opposed unilateral concessions to Azerbaijan and blocked the 

Kirants-Vokepar road and the police, arrived at the blocked section 

of the road to express their support to them.

The Armenian Ministry of Defense issued an operational statement in 

connection with this incident. It said, in particular: "A video of 

people in military uniform joining a political rally taking place in 

Kirants, Tavush region, has spread on the Internet.

The military police of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia is taking 

measures to establish the identities of persons in military uniform 

and assess the information being disseminated.

At the same time, the RA Ministry of Defense warns that any attempt 

to involve the Armed Forces of Armenia in political processes will 

receive an adequate legal assessment."