Acting ENA head vows legal battle against nationalization plans

David Ghazinyan, the acting director general of the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA), has strongly criticized a government-drafted bill seeking the nationalization of the electric utility. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Ghazinyan condemned the initiative as an “ill-conceived legislative proposal".

“It's unacceptable to start a nationalization process without even attempting dialogue with the company targeted for seizure,” Ghazinyan said. “Let’s sit down and talk, we acknowledge that we have shortcomings. No organization is flawless.”

He argued that the authorities’ reluctance to engage in discussions signals a fear of being proven wrong.

When asked what steps the company plans to take if the bill is passed, Ghazinyan emphasized that ENA is ready to defend itself through all legal avenues.

"Although we are facing an unlawful and ruleless struggle, we are determined to oppose this process through all legal means, especially since the company's owner is a state-oriented individual," he asserted.

Ghazinyan also claimed that international partners have expressed serious concerns about the nationalization effort.

The ENA owner, Samvel Karapetyan, was placed in pre-trial detention on charges of calling for the usurpation of power in Armenia on June 18. This follows remarks he had made in support of the Armenian Apostolic Church amid the Armenian leadership's campaign against it.