DUSHANBE, February 6, 2015, Asia-Plus — Tajik nationals, who have officially joined the Russian Armed Forces on a contractual basis and are serving in the so-called “hot spot,” will not be liable to criminal punishment, stipulated by Tajikistan’s legislation for participation in wars and armed conflicts in other countries, Mahmadali Vatanov, the head of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower house of parliament) Committee on Legislation and Human Rights told Asia-Plus Friday afternoon.
We will recall that the Tajik parliament on May 21, 2014 approved an amendment to the Criminal Code stipulating punishment for Tajik nationals taking part in foreign armed conflicts.
“This amendment applies only to those Tajik nationals who are taking part in foreign armed conflicts alongside illegal armed formations,” said PM Vatanov. “Tajik nationals who have joined the Russian Armed Forces on a contractual basis and a serving in the so-called “hot spots will not be faced with the threat of criminal punishment, stipulated by the country’s legislation for participation in foreign armed conflicts.”
We will recall that Russian President Vladimir Putin on January 2 issued a decree enabling foreign nationals to serve in the Russian military. The January 2 decree allows foreigners aged 18-30 to sign up for five-year service contracts with the Russian armed forces, Interior Ministry troops, or the state firefighting service.
The foreign nationals are eligible only if they speak Russian and have no criminal record.
Military analysts said that until now, foreign nationals had to receive Russian citizenship or special documentation in order to serve in the Russian military.
Most foreign soldiers currently serve on their home territory outside of Russia.
Russia has large military bases in Armenia and Tajikistan and a military presence in other parts of the former Soviet Union, including Transdniester in Moldova and the Moscow-backed breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia.
The decree, however, suggests that foreign soldiers may now be sent abroad in “wartime” situations.
“Military members who are foreign citizens can participate in tasks related to military situations and also during armed conflicts,” the decree reads, adding that such measures are in accordance with Russian and international law.
The average monthly salary for contract soldiers is reportedly 500 U.S. dollars, a considerable sum in most regions of the former Soviet Union.
Meanwhile, experts say the decree is part of efforts by the Kremlin to professionalize its armed forces — moving away from the all-conscript army of the Soviet era — and expand its influence in Central Asia as U.S.-led forces withdraw from Afghanistan.
