They didn’t go to the army
The message that RA Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan's son, Captain at the NKR Defense Army Artur Ohanyan got into an accident during his service and is currently at the military hospital with heavy injuries has given way to different commentaries on social networks.
Some have expressed their support to the officer, while some have accepted with enthusiasm the fact that the high-ranking official's son is serving in Artsakh, others have taken the opportunity to mention the names of well-known public-political figures or their sons who have not passed temporary military service for some unknown reasons.
A Facebook user cites a list posted on Pravda.am according to which the following MPs "didn't go to the army" for this or that reason:
Karen Avagyan (HHK, born in 1974), Eduard Sharmazanov (HHK, born in 1975), Shirak Torosyan (HHK, born in 1972), Vahe Hakobyan (HHK, born in 1977), Arkadi Hambardzumyan (HHK, born in 1971), Hayk Sanosyan (HHK, born in 1971), Koryun Nahapetyan (HHK, born in 1971), Martun Grigoryan (BHK, born in 1981), Ara Nranyan (ARF, born in 1973), Artsvik Minasyan (ARF, born in 1972), Karen Vardanyan (ARF, born in 1976), Mikael Vardanyan (born in 1973), Khachik Petrosyan (OEK, born in 1974) and Styopa Safaryan ("Heritage", born in 1973).
A Facebook user says for some reason, press speaker for the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) Eduard Sharmazanov was awarded the "Garegin Nzhdeh" Medal by the RA Ministry of Defense in 2006.
The debate participants also mentioned the names of several people who "often speak of patriotism" or hold state offices, but also haven't passed military service.
Among them are Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan (HHK), Deputy Prosecutor General Armen Danielyan, Head of the Department for State Property Cadastre Arman Sahakyan (HHK), former secretary of the Central Electoral Commission turned Head of the State Food Safety Service at the RA Ministry of Agriculture Abram Bakhchagulyan, former president of the RA Pension Fund Vazgen Khachikyan (HHK), President of "Mitq" Analysis Center Eduard Abrahamyan, Aren Manukyan (son of HHSh Board president Aram Manukyan), Arsen Kharatyan (ethnographer Hranush Kharatyan's son), former leader of the Progressive Party turned BHK member Tigran Urikhanyan and others.
"A1+" tried to receive comments on the names in the list. Eduard Sharmazanov mentioned that though he hadn't passed military service due to health problems, he was registered at the reserve unit of the Armed Forces as a soldier. "I can even present the copy of my military registration booklet," said Sharmazanov.
Shirak Torosyan and Eduard Abrahamyan have been involved in academics. "A1+" is not providing certain information upon the interlocutors' request since that information is strictly personal.
