Armenian Defense Ministry denies media allegations

Armenia’s Defense Ministry has rejected claims published by the Hraparak daily as disinformation.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry denied reports alleging that internal directives had been issued to military certification committees to artificially inflate soldiers’ exam results ahead of parliamentary elections in order to increase salaries. The ministry stressed that any interference in the certification process would prompt a “strict legal response” from the defense minister and law-enforcement authorities.

The ministry also dismissed allegations that senior military officials were pressuring military chaplains through threats or other coercive measures, noting that similar claims had previously been denied in response to an inquiry by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Armenian Service.

Additionally, the ministry rejected reports suggesting that the defense minister or members of his family were involved in personnel appointments or patronage across various sectors.