Armenia's top court stalls on case over seizure of electric utility

Armenia's Constitutional Court has yet to rule on the constitutionality of a controversial law allowing the government to seize control of Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) owned by businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan’s Tashir Group.

The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem factions petitioned the top court on July 11 to annul the measure, arguing it violates the constitution, and asked that the law be suspended until a final ruling. Under court rules, such applications must undergo a preliminary review within 30 days. More than six weeks later, no decision has been announced and no updates appear on the court’s website, Pastinfo reported.

Opposition MP Artsvik Minasyan says the delay raises doubts about whether judges are avoiding their constitutional duties. On August 28, he formally requested clarification from the Constitutional Court’s president and judges, noting that the applicants had received no information about the case’s progress.

The law was fast-tracked through the parliament after Karapetyan voiced support for the Armenian Apostolic Church. He was later detained on charges of making public calls for the seizure of power in Armenia.

Legal experts warn the move amounts to asset seizure, undermines the rule of law and could trigger international rulings against Armenia.