Armenian parliament greenlights nationalization of Electric Networks of Armenia

YEREVAN, July 2. /ARKA/. Armenia's National Assembly at an extraordinary session on Wednesday adopted in the first reading a set of amendments to the laws On the Public Services Regulatory Authority and On Energy, which allow the nationalization of the national power distribution company Electric Netwrosk of Armenia (ENA), owned by a Russia-based businessman Samvel Karapetyan, president of Tashir Group of Companies.

The amendments were backed by 59 lawmakers. Another 30 voted against.

ENA owner Samvel Karapetyan was arrested on June 19 on charges of publicly calling for the seizure of power. This happened after he expressed support for the Armenian Apostolic Church amid attacks against it by the Armenian authorities.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan then announced a plan to nationalize ENA, claiming that the process would be carried out in accordance with Armenian law.

According to him, there are known problems in Armenia's energy sector, including those related to quality.

He believes that either there is deliberate sabotage or the system is technically incapable, so the process of transferring ENA to state control should be implemented quickly and efficiently.-0-