Don't use gas if you don't want: court rules in favor of ArmRosGazProm

Armenia's Administrative Court has rejected a claim filed by the opposition movement Armenian National Congress (HAK) in April 2010 and signed by more than 7,000 Armenian gas consumers against a decision by Public Services Regulatory Commission of the Republic of Armenia (PSRC) to raise the gas tariff.

The Court has also examined the claim in written from - something HAK was opposed to either.

HAK Lawyer Vahe Hovsepyan told Tert.am that the Court has ruled that the PSRC decision is in line with the law.

According to Hovsepyan the Court has lied by ruling that there has not been any violation of balance of interests of Armenian citizens and ArmRosGazprom.

The Court has also mentioned that the relations with this company are contract-based and anyone who is against the decisions made by the company may not use its services. While the claimants have mentioned in their objections that gas in Armenian is a necessary measure to secure one's social security, and besides ArmRosGazprom is the only company that imports gas to Armenia for private consumers.

In his words it turns out Armenian citizens do not have any other alternative when it comes to gas importing companies.

"Under [current] conditions of monopoly it's not right to speak about contractual relations," said Mr Hovsepyan, adding he did not agree with the Court's decision to examine the case in written form either as it must have been examined orally.

"One more time it proves that the Court has made a ruling that is beneficial for PSRC and ArmRosGazprom and comes at the detriment of the Armenian nation," said Hovsepyan, adding that they would within a month bring the case to the Court of Appeal.