Military Police (Armenia)

The Military Police of Armenia (Armenian: Ռազմական ոստիկանություն; Rrazmakan vostikanut’yun) is the military police branch of the Armed Forces of Armenia under the command of the Ministry of Defence.[2] In the MoD, it is separate from the central apparatus. It is governed by the RA Law on Military Police.

Military Police
Active5 May 1992–present
Country Armenia
BranchArmed Forces of Armenia
RoleDisciplinary duties
Part of Ministry of Defense of Armenia
Garrison/HQYerevan
AnniversariesMilitary Police Day (5 May)[1]
Commanders
CommanderAshot Zakaryan

Purpose

The Military Police is responsible for the following:

  • Investigation of military crimes in the armed forces on the territory of military unit.
  • Deterrence and prevention of crimes committed by military servicemen.
  • Protection of property that belongs to the military.

History

The Military Police was established on 5 May 1992,[3][4] by order of Minister of Defense Vazgen Sargsyan. It had no special status until 2007.[5] That year, a law to define the status of a Military Police was adopted by the National Assembly. Military Police bylaws were approved by the Government on 25 December 2008.

Organization
  • Yerevan Department of the Military Police
  • Vanadzor Department of the Military Police
  • Sisian Department of the Military Police

Activities

In 2018, the Armenian Defense Ministry announced that ahead of the 2018 army draft, the military police would be posted at Zvartnots International Airport to help arriving draftees from the diaspora in being able to fulfill their army service.[6] Similar postings were also conducted at Shirak Airport.[7]

Peacekeeping

The military police is in control of the 12th Peacekeeping Brigade, which also known as the Blue Berets due to its similarities to the Armenian Airborne Forces.[8] It specializes in peacekeeping in foreign countries as part of international initiatives. It has collaborated in several international missions with the West, including missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.[9] In 2019, a Military Police peacekeeping platoon participated in a NATO-sponsored training held in Armenia.[10]

Chief of the Military Police
  • Major General Artur Baghdasarian (May 2017 - 19 February 2020)[11]
  • Colonel Alexander Aghajanyan (acting) (19 February 2020 - 6 August 2020)
  • Ashot Zakaryan (6 August 2020 - present)[12][13][14]

See also

References
  1. "Armenia's Military Police celebrate 29th anniversary". 5 May 2021.
  2. "armenia and democratic control of the armed forces - OSCE".
  3. "The Military Police of the RA Ministry of Defense is 28 years old". www.mil.am. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  4. (PDF) https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/8/e/84943.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. "Law of the Republic of Armenia "About military police"". cis-legislation.com. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  6. "Armenia puts military police in main airport to guide draftees from abroad". mediamax.am. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  7. "Military Police officers to patrol airports in Yerevan and Gyumri". www.mil.am. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  8. "The Straw That Broke Sargsyan's Back?". Medium. April 30, 2018.
  9. NATO’s relations with Armenia. NATO. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
  10. "Armenian Military Police peacekeeping platoon participates in NATO training". www.mil.am. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  11. "Two Generals In Armenia Fired Over Noncombat Army Deaths". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  12. "MD RA - Ashot Zakaryan". www.mil.am. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  13. "Ashot Zakaryan was appointed Chief of the Military Police". www.mil.am. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  14. "New chief of Military Police appointed". armenpress.am. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
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