Conscript with Illness Discharged Early with More Severe Health Complications

Armen Tadevosyan, drafted to the army with health issues who, with the help of Vanadzor Helsinki Assembly underwent two surgeries during his military service, was discharged from the army before his term.

Despite many health issues, Armen Tadevosyan was found fit for military service and was drafted to the army during the 2018 summer recruitment. He was immediately hospitalized to the military hospital. Despite the fact that his medical documents established an urgent need to address his health issues, Armen’s father claims that many of the examinations conducted at the military hospital were a formality and a planned surgery was assigned to him, instead of an urgent one.

General examination had found that there are pathologies of the vascular system of his left side, there was a moderate dysfunction of blood circulation and organs or limbs, with some examinations indicating worsening of the health condition.

After Vanadzor Helsinki Assembly turned to the Minister of Defense, in October and November of 2018, the soldier underwent 2 surgeries for left-side varicocele and later surgical removal of varicose veins of lower right limb.

In February 2019, a decision was made for Armen Tadevosyan’s early discharge from the army. He was recognized unfit for military service.

Vanadzor Helsinki Assembly first learned of this case on September 19, 2018 from “Armenian Times” newspaper.