Russia obtains consular access to Samvel Karapetyan – Zakharova
YEREVAN, December 25. /ARКА/. The Russian government has gained consular access to Samvel Karapetyan through the Russian Embassy in Yerevan, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who was asked a question regarding Moscow's stance on the indefinite extension of the arrest of Tashir Group President Samvel Karapetyan and the ongoing confiscation of Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC from its owner.
Samvel Karapetya is a Russia-based businessman of Armenian origin, the owner of the Electric Networkks of Armenia power distribution company, arrested on June 18 by Armenian law-enforcement authorities for 'public calls to seize power'. By decision of the Anti-Corruption Court, his arrest has been extended until January 18, 2026. He is charged with three counts: "public calls for the seizure of power" (following his statements about his support for the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Armenian Apostolic Church), large-scale tax evasion, and money laundering.
"Safeguarding the interests of Russian citizens and businesses abroad is always a top priority for us – both as an agency and as a nation. We are conducting these actions in line with the laws and sovereignty of the host country. We will continue to keep track of his condition, well-being, and the protection of his legal rights," she remarked during a press briefing on Thursday.
Zakharova pointed out that in discussions with Armenian officials, the Russian side has brought up the topic of nationalizing Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC and suggested collaboratively seeking solutions that would consider both the interests of Armenia and those of the Russian entrepreneur.
"We are not proactively raising this issue; rather, we are indicating that it has been brought up by the Armenian side and is currently under active discussion, and thus, we also have input on the subject," she stated.
In this context, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry highlighted that, due to this situation, other Russian and foreign businesspeople have become more cautious in evaluating the potential of their projects in Armenia.
On November 17, Armenia's Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) approved the revocation of ENA (owned by Samvel Karapetyan's Tashir Group)'s electricity distribution license.
The Commission cited violations discovered during the four-month investigation as the basis for this revocation, including falsifications, deficiencies, and other falsifications of electricity meter readings, violations in the implementation of investment programs, violations of deadlines and procedures for connecting new subscribers, and violations of building and fire safety regulations during the construction and renovation of certain facilities.
The Commission claims that ENA provided risky credit guarantees through commercial banks to a number of companies affiliated with it. Alo, it ineffectively managed property, real estate, and cash.
According to Mesrop Mesropyan, head of the PSRC, the state will now negotiate with the owner or the ENA Board of Directors the transfer of ownership rights to the property.
"If the parties fail to reach an agreement within three months, the state may take over the property based on its priority interest," Mesropyan noted.
ENA representatives disagree with the presented findings, questioning the accuracy of the results of the PSRC's research, as well as the quality of the audits and assessments.-0-
