US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN35

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000035 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, DRL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, AM 
SUBJECT: ARMENIA: UPDATE ON CLAIMS OF RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION 
 
REF: YEREVAN 19 
 
Classified By: DCM A.F. Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) We reported reftel our initial investigation of an 
allegation of religious persecution in Armenia's armed 
forces.  On January 11, we spoke with Levon Margaryan, Deputy 
Board Member of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Armenia, about the 
recent media claims that Armen Grigoryan was abused while 
serving in the Armenian army.  Margaryan stated that he 
serves as Grigoryan's lawyer in the case.  Margaryan 
confirmed that Grigoryan was not a member of the Jehovah's 
Witnesses nor was he on the way to becoming a member. 
According to Margaryan, Grigoryan claimed he did not receive 
his draft notice in May 2004.  In June Grigoryan was called 
by a military official and asked to report for a physical 
examination.  (Note:  Unless the Ministry of Defense has 
granted them a deferment, Armenian men are drafted during the 
recruitment cycle immediately after their 18th birthday.  For 
Grigoryan, this would have been May 2004.  Reporting for an 
army physical before receiving a draft notice would be highly 
unusual.  End Note.)  Margaryan reported that Grigoryan 
claimed to be quite suprised when he was taken from the 
doctor's office and sent to join recruits in Karabakh. 
According to the lawyer, Grigoryan declared his conscientious 
objection to military service for the first time after 
arriving in Karabakh. 
 
2. (C) Margaryan stated that Grigoryan was not kept under 
guard and not forced to participate in military excercises 
while with the military unit.  During a visit by Margaryan 
and Grigoryan's father, the commanding officer allowed 
Grigoryan to leave the base with them for lunch.  According 
to Margaryan, a regional military investigator reported to 
him that he had hit Grigoryan in order to "bring him up 
right," but Margaryan also stated that Grigoryan's direct 
supervisor intervened on several occasions to prevent abuse. 
Grigoryan's lawyer alleged that when Grigoryan's commanding 
officer went on vacation, the abuse increased and Grigoryan 
left his unit without leave.  Grigoryan is currently in 
hiding. 
 
3. (C) Margaryan stated that no Jehovah's Witness members 
have been forced into the army in recent memory, but that 
nine remained in prison as conscientious objectors despite 
the newly adopted law on Alternatives to Military Service. 
 
4. (C) This information authoritatively discredits 
allegations made by the Norwegian NGO "Forum 18."  While the 
hazing described in paragraph 2 above is certainly 
objectionable, it is, unfortunately, common for recruits in 
post-Soviet armed forces. 
EVANS