Officer Urging Parents of Killed Soldiers at Protest Today Might be Penalized

Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Gasparyan’s administrative officer, Captain Vardan Ghukasyan (pictured), who was at today’s protest outside the Armenian president’s residence, might be subject to an administrative penalty.

Epress.am asked head of the defense ministry’s administrative division, Mr. Kirakosyan, whether a defense ministry employee on duty has the right to be at work unshaven and in civilian clothing.

“Without shaving, of course no, but being in civilian clothing is not prohibited. That is regulated by an internal agreement — no particular law or rule exists. But for not shaving, a disciplinary penalty is set,” he said.

Recall, the officer was urging relatives of soldiers killed during peacetime to move from the president’s residence to the military police division and raise their issues there.