Pashinyan’s ally expected to head electricity grid

By Elen Muradyan

Romanos Petrosyan, a board member of Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party, is expected to be appointed interim manager of the country’s electricity distribution network, according to CivilNet sources, as the government moves forward with the controversial nationalization of the Electricity Networks of Armenia (ENA).

Petrosyan’s expected appointment follows his dismissal as head of the State Oversight Service by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The official decision was published on the government’s e-gov portal on Thursday.

CivilNet sources familiar with the matter say the appointment may be formalized as early as July 18 within the framework of a regulatory process initiated by the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC).

The planned nationalization of ENA, currently owned by Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan’s Tashir Group, has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers, economists, and legal experts who warn the move could harm Armenia’s investment climate and trigger costly international arbitration.

Karapetyan, a prominent supporter of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was arrested in June after publicly defending Catholicos Garegin II amid an escalating dispute with the government. His detention was swiftly followed by Pashinyan’s declaration that the state would take control of ENA.

Parliament has since passed legislation granting the government sweeping powers to remove ENA’s management and install state-appointed administrators without a court ruling. The opposition has challenged the constitutionality of the law in Armenia’s highest court, arguing it violates due process and property rights.