Constitutional Court Upholds Laws Related to Nationalization of Armenia’s Electric Networks

YEREVAN — Armenia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that the laws adopted under an expedited procedure regarding the nationalization of Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) comply with the Constitution.

The appeal submitted by members of parliament concerning the constitutionality of amendments to the laws “On Energy” and “On the Public Services Regulatory Commission” was filed with the court on July 11.

In essence, the Constitutional Court determined that revoking the license of “Tashir Capital,” the owner of ENA, is consistent with the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.

Amendments to these laws made it possible to place ENA under the management of a temporary administrator.

Opposition lawmakers had petitioned the Constitutional Court to suspend the enforcement of the law until the court issued a final decision on the case. A similar decision had also been issued by an international arbitration body, which the Armenian government declined to implement.

The process of nationalizing Electric Networks of Armenia began following the arrest of its owner, Samvel Karapetyan.