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“The tendency to ensure numbers at any price is still retained in the armed forces and the youth are conscripted to the army even in case of a disease”, Told Chairman of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor in a talk with Lragir.am by addressing the recent cases recorded in the army.

Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan had recently addressed soldier Hayk Makaryan’s death as well as the case of Mher Khlghatyan, who had been moved to the military hospital in pneumonia and beaten state and provided explanations.

Artur Sakunts claims that the Defense Minister was not entitled to speak about it before the experts’ conclusions were received over the aforementioned cases.

“Before the experts’ conclusions were received over Mher Khlghatyan’s case, the Defense Minister was not authorized to give any explanation.  Such an explanation could be provided only by a parent, other people, but not by the official, who once told he did not intervene in the functions of the MoD Investigative Service, he did not have the right. I find his mentioned assessment as untimely and preconceived and there is practice impacting on the preliminary investigation process. The Minister must take into account that the opinions he voiced can nonetheless have impact on the process. Furthermore, the Minister’s statement totally contradicts the opinions publicized by the serviceman’s mother”, told Sakunts.

As to soldier Hayk Makaryan’s death, which, according to the Minister’s words, is a result of meningitis, Artur Sakunts said, “We do not yet have the result of the medical expertise, which would confirm something, but the Minister comes up with such a statement.”

According to the words of the human rights active, there are always concerns regarding the quality of the medical services rendered in the armed forces, those issues begin with the conscription and continue in the armed forces during the military service.

“Soldiers are under the control of the state and armed forces the whole day. Meningitis is a disease that does not attach immediately, it is not a cardiac arrest. It has a background, it means no proper medical care was provided, which leaded to the soldier’s death. Especially he was just recently drafted to the army”, notes Sakunts.

He mentions if there is a health issue, the soldier should be treated and then be conscripted to the army.

“I assess such an approach to the issues as impermissible; moreover, there is an attitude which entails humiliation of human dignity, which can lead to grave consequences, that is death cases. And the responsibility fully rests on the Ministry of Defense”, stressed Artur Sakunts.

Source: http://www.lragir.am/index/arm/0/right/view/93685