Georgia abolishes compulsory military conscription

Georgian Defense Minister Tinatin Khidasheli signed a decree on abolition of compulsory conscription to the republic's armed forces, Interfax reports.

The Georgian Defense Ministry will cease to perform compulsory military conscription starting on June 27, the minister told reporters.

"The armed forces do not need servicemen who were forcefully enlisted," she said.

As defense minister she is entitled to adopt such a decision; however, her successor can abolish it if this is deemed prudent, Khidasheli said.