Armenia Justice Minister Says Compensation to Be Provided to Samvel Karapetyan If ENA Is Nationalized

Armenia’s Justice Minister, Srbuhi Galyan, told CivilNet in a recent interview that if the state proceeds with the nationalization of Electricity Networks of Armenia (ENA), Samvel Karapetyan will receive compensation, Orda.kz reports, citing CivilNet.

If it comes to nationalization or state appropriation, or to the transfer of ownership based on a declaration of public interest, it will undoubtedly be subject to compensation, Galyan said. 

She emphasized that:

Not once, even amid sharp political statements, was there ever any mention that compensation would not be provided.

Galyan framed the situation as an investment dispute centered on whether the state can lawfully harm a private owner’s interests. She underlined that the state’s intention was never to cause damage to property holders — even in heated political contexts.

ENA, Armenia’s main electricity distributor, has been owned by Karapetyan’s Tashir Group since 2015.
After Karapetyan’s arrest on June 18, 2025, for allegedly calling for regime change, Prime Minister Pashinyan pledged to nationalize ENA, prompting widespread controversy.

Karapetyan launched arbitration proceedings under the Armenia–Cyprus investment protection treaty.

On July 22, a tribunal at the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce reportedly ordered Armenia to suspend all nationalization measures while the case is reviewed, including management changes, license revocations, or asset seizures.