Lawyer on `legal terror` surrounding ENA 

ArmInfo. Another large-scale parade of searches has begun in Armenia. This was announced to journalists on July 8 by lawyer Aram Vardevanyan.

According to him, the topic of searches should no longer surprise the country's public, despite the fact that the right to conduct them should be more than justified. Vardevanyan noted that the searches are directly related to the family of the president of the Tashir Group of Companies Samvel Karapetyan, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC Narek Karapetyan. Against this background, it is difficult to say what exactly the law enforcement officers are looking for.

"They seized two very important pieces of evidence for the  investigation from Narek Karapetyan's house - two hats. Apparently, when the decision was made to conduct searches, they were looking for these two items," the lawyer said sarcastically, adding that most likely these two hats flashed by at a recent rally in support of Samvel Karapetyan. Vardevanyan noted that legal terror is being observed around ESA.

The lawyer noted that there is no information yet about Narek  Karapetyan's status. Vardevanyan called the trial itself  unconstitutional. "Time will tell how all this will end.  Nationalization of networks in any case implies compensation for damages," the lawyer said, pointing out that the Public Services Regulatory Commission did not identify violations attributed to ESA. On the contrary, the PSRC noted large investments. Calling the draft law on the nationalization of ESA unconstitutional, Vardevanyan stated that both domestic and international courts will be involved.

Law enforcement officials have been conducting searches at the head office of the Electric Networks of Armenia company since early morning on July 8.

Masked National Security Service officers do not allow company employees to enter their workplace. At the same time, law enforcement officers broke into the home of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of ESA CJSC Narek Karapetyan in the morning, where they are also conducting searches. Narek Karapetyan was subsequently taken to the head office of ESA

Earlier, the Armenian parliament adopted a package of legislative amendments aimed at nationalization.

Philanthropist and president of Tashir Group Samvel Karapetyan was detained on the night of June 18 in Yerevan by law enforcement agencies of Armenia after he expressed support for the Armenian Apostolic Church. This was followed by open threats from the Prime Minister. On the night of June 19, the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction arrested Samvel Karapetyan for two months. He is being held in the Yerevan- Kentron penitentiary (the famous "KGB basement" in the building of the National Security Service of Armenia). He is  accused of publicly calling for the seizure of power in the country. Karapetyan does not admit guilt.