MOSCOW. July 13 (Interfax) - The Russian president has signed a decree, "Granting clergymen the right to obtain a deferment of military service," the Kremlin said on its website.
The right to obtain a deferment of military service will be granted, at the request of religious organizations, to clergymen (up to 150 a year) who have been ordained and hold a position in a religious organization or the post of an aide to commander (chief) in charge of religious soldiers, for the duration of the tenure.
The right to obtain draft deferment will be granted to clergymen who meet these requirements (Clause 1 of the decree) as of October 1, 2012, provided that such clergymen underwent (or are undergoing) special training required for performing the duties of an aide to commander (chief) in charge of religious soldiers.
The Russian government has been instructed to determine the procedure for granting clergymen the right to draft deferment under this decree and the procedure for undergoing special training required for performing the duties of an aide to commander (chief) in charge of religious soldiers
The decree will become effective on the date of its official publication.