Why Soldiers Run away from the Military Unit? The Reasons are not revealed
00:00, February 24, 2007
On February 20, 2007 the Court of First Instance of Lori region, presided by the judge V. Ghazaryan, examined the criminal case against Armen Hovakimyan by the 1st part of article 361 of RA Criminal Code. He is blamed for deserting the garrison hospital on 07.12.06 where he got medical treatment, being a soldier in the military unit N 27229 of MD of RA.
Then on 06.01.07 he came to Military Police of Vanadzor.
Karen Tumanyan, member of the RA Chamber of Advocates, the coordinator of HCA Vanadzor, was the legal representative of Armen Hovakimyan in the court. During his speech the attorney stated that Armen Hovakimyan’s action of deserting the hospital was proved but the reasons of his actions were not revealed either during the preliminary examination or during the trial.
According to the attorney the reasons for the action was of very personal character for Armen Hovakimyan and he could not tell the court about it. During the trial Armen Hovakimyan gave evidences about the thing that he was ready to continue his service in more difficult conditions, even at the front-line. This testifies that he had problems where he served. Those problems caused such a psychological situation, which could not allow him to be there. It means that Armen Hovakimyan had problems not with the service but the military system that should be solved by the officers and it was not done.
The lawyer pointed out that Armen Hovakimyan did this criminal act for the first time and the current action was not grave. During the preliminary examination and trial he was sorry for what he had done; besides he voluntarily went to police and did not hinder the course of the preliminary examination. His behaviour is characterized as positive, it means that for the action he performed there are extenuating circumstances. The attorney mentioned that Armen could change his behavior without isolation and could continue his service in another military unit.
The prosecutor petitioned the court to appoint a 2-month temporary custody. Attorney Karen Tumanyan petitioned to appoint one month custody, at the same time petitioned to make use of article 70 of RA Criminal Code and not to use the appointed punishment on condition. The court recognized Armen Hovakimyan guilty according to the 1st part of article 361 of RA Criminal Code and sentenced him to a month of custody.