The Investigative Service of Armenia’s Ministry of Defense says it has arrested Reservist Colonel Volodya Avetisyan on fraud charges.

In particular, the Defense Ministry states that its ongoing investigation has revealed that Avetisyan connived a citizen out of U.S. $2,000, with the promise he would intervene to free his grandson from military service.

For the past several months, Avetisyan has participated in sit-down strikes and other protest actions, demanding that the government pay greater attention to the social and economic needs of former Artskah War soldiers.