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“LOVE FOR GOD IS ABOVE ALL”

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30-year-old RA citizen Gegham Sahakian avoided military service and is presently engaged in anti-army propaganda.

“I think no one should be made to take up arms. Can you imagine the consequences if a person like me appears on a battle-field,” Gegham Sahakian told A1+.

Sahakian states his evasion of military service is not determined by the lack of patriotism. “I am more patriotic than many others.”

“As soon as I left school I went to the Russian Federation to get higher education. I was keen on finding a job in my motherland but I was detained the moment I was back,” he says.

Sahakian was arrested in 2004. He was married and had a child. Sahakian's second child was born during the trial.

Under the RA legislation the legal proceedings was terminated and Sahakian was released.

We wouldn't attach great attention to Sahakian if he stopped anti-army propaganda. He frequently visits military registration and enlistment offices, institutes of higher education and calls on the youth to avoid military service. Gehgam Sahakian didn't refute the rumors.

“It is more important to serve the Lord than in the army. If one doesn't love God, I assure he doesn't love his country either,” Gegham Sahakian said.

In answer to A1+'s question what measures he would take in case a war were waged against Armenia, Sahakian said, “God will outlaw wars, I am confident of it.”

Sahakian refused to say to which congregation he belonged. “I am sure I shall be defamed, criticized and humiliated in case I name the organisation. The organisation doesn't matter; simply my conscience would not allow me to use a weapon.”

Sahakian says the RA Law on “Alternative Military Service” is rather formal.

“Armenia adopted the law to play up to the Council of Europe. Obviously, it is a humiliating ordeal for God's servants.”

IS MILITARY SERVICE AVOIDANCE A SIN?

A1+ tried to know the stance of the Armenian Apostolic Church in this connection.

“Surely, Armenia's servicemen are to defend the country. It is a sacred task. The deceased on battle-fields are considered martyrs and heroes. Military service evasion is a condemnable crime,” said Clerk Garik Asrian.