MOSCOW. Oct 8 (Interfax-AVN) - The introduction of alternative civil service in Russia will diminish the number of military service dodgers, Andrey Nikolayev, Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, told Interfax-Military News Agency Wednesday.
"The introduction of alternative civil service in Russia will spur up the police and prosecutors to bring to court those who try to evade military service, which will sure reduce the number of evaders," he said.
"With the alternative service active, evasion of military service can by no means be justified," he added.
"Liability for the evasion of alternative service shall be an integral part of its work," he also said.
According to Nikolayev, he existing article of the Criminal Code, pertaining to the liability for the evasion of alternative service, does not cover all possible ways to evade just because they are not stipulated there. Therefore, he said, relevant amendments to the Criminal Code should be made as soon as possible.