Armenian conscientious objectors convicted under military law YEREVAN, Armenia—In the past week Armenian courts have sentenced six conscientious objectors who are Jehovah’s Witnesses to prison for terms of between two and three years. In the most serious case, held in the Geghargunik District First Court in Sevan, Judge Asatryan today sentenced Artur Chilingarov, Gagik Davtyan, Vagarshak Margaryan and Boris Melkumyan to three years in prison. They were charged with “desertion by agreement,” an act equivalent to mutiny, but the prosecutor reduced the charge to being absent from military duties without leave by prior agreement under Article 361(5) of the Armenian Criminal Code. In their defense, the young men stated that they had willingly accepted work in a psychiatric hospital after being assured that the work under the new alternative service law was civilian. However, they were required to wear military-style uniforms, subjected to regular checks by the military police, prohibited from practicing their religion, and forbidden to leave the premises. These restrictions offended the Bible-based conscience of these young men, who were all charged under military law, something their defense lawyers argue is unlawful. One of the defendants, Boris Melkumyan, said, “It was very disappointing to realize that my hospital work was really military service, since I was happy to render service to disabled people.” On October 28, 2005, Arsen Sevonyan and Narek Alaverdyan were sentenced to two years in prison under Article 361(4), which deals with being absent from military service without leave. On September 15, 2005, Shaliko Sargsyan was sentenced to two years and eight months under Article 362(1), which has to do with desertion. Another 14 defendants are expected to appear before Armenian courts in the next few weeks to face similar charges under military law. Media Contacts
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