Armenian Defense Ministry employees arrested over draft-dodging scheme

Six employees of the Armenian Defense Ministry have been arrested as part of a criminal investigation into an alleged scheme to help men evade compulsory military service by falsifying medical conditions, the country’s Anti-Corruption Committee has confirmed.

In response to a query from Panorama.am, the committee said on Thursday the suspects are accused of arranging military exemptions by simulating illnesses and using forged medical documents in exchange for bribes.

Among those detained is a psychiatrist from the Yerevan Garrison Military Hospital’s Psychiatric Department. Investigators say the doctor is suspected of accepting bribes for falsified medical assessments. A court has ordered the doctor to be held in pre-trial detention.