MP criticizes Armenian Defense Ministry over soldiers' limited bathing access

An Armenian lawmaker from the ruling Civil Contract party has sharply criticized the Defense Ministry, saying soldiers are still only able to bathe once a week despite his repeated calls for daily access.

Speaking at a press briefing in the parliament on Monday, MP Hayk Sargsyan said he had studied the practices of dozens of armies worldwide and found that in many countries soldiers are provided facilities to shower every day. “In Armenia, as in some African and underdeveloped countries, soldiers bathe once a week,” he said.

Sargsyan noted that he first raised the issue two years ago, arguing that daily bathing could be arranged without requiring additional funding. While some newly built facilities now allow soldiers to take a shower daily, he said they remain a small minority. “Most of our boys still bathe once a week,” he said. “Let the Defense Ministry leadership also take a shower once a week until they solve this problem and let’s see if they can manage.”

The lawmaker stressed that improving hygiene conditions for troops is essential. “Why shouldn’t we create good conditions for our army?” he asked.