Defense ministry denies media reports that it classifies information about army casualties
Armenia’s defense ministry has declined today media reports alleging that it classifies information on the army casualties.
Nazaryan said information on all incidents and army fatalities has been available in Internet in the recent years along with some of the circumstances of the incidents. This is also true concerning the latest incidents reported from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the line of contact between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijani troops.
"Therefore, media allegations that the order in question prohibits relatives of servicemen or representatives of civil society to receive information about army fatalities are not true," said Nazaryan.
According to him, information on servicemen killed in the fighting and in non-combat conditions is available to parents and the public at large.
"Secret is deemed information about emergencies and incidents occurring in the troops, not a specific case. Secret is also concise information about their causes in view of the information’s degree of secrecy because of a change in the military, political and operational situation," Nazaryan said.
He added that parents are not deprived of the opportunity to obtain information also as part of criminal cases, instigated because of incidents.
In comments on the possibility of appealing against the order of the minister in court Nazaryan said that under the Civil Code citizens and legal entities can exercise their civil rights, including their defense, at their discretion and in the manner prescribed by law.
"It's just desirable that the legal grounds for claims are justified,' said Nazaryan. -- 0--