Armenian oppositionist says he will not surrender Electric Networks

Russian-Armenian businessman and Tashir Group President Samvel Karapetyan has said he will not hand over Electric Networks of Armenia to the state, responding to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's announcement that the utility would be placed under the management of a private company.

Commenting on the government's plans, Karapetyan noted that authorities would first have to take control of the company before transferring it to external management, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

"To transfer the company into management, they (the authorities) must first take it away. We should not forget that courts exist — both domestically and internationally," Karapetyan added.

Karapetyan stressed that he would fight to retain control of Electric Networks of Armenia.

Karapetyan was arrested on June 18 last year and faces several charges described as both political and economic in nature. The case was initiated after his widely publicised statement in support of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Karapetyan is currently under house arrest. Part of the case has been separated and referred to court for a trial on the merits. Vladimir Tardzhumanyan and Andranik Khachatryan are also defendants in the proceedings.

During the hearing, the defense submitted several motions concerning the examination of case materials and the summoning of witnesses.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov