The ArmenTel Company views the decision by the Armenian Commission for Protection of Economic Competition as a means of pressure on the company, David Sandukhchyan, Director of the ArmenTel Legal Service, told a press conference. He said the company appealed against the Commission’s decision imposing a 300m AMD fine on it and finding it a dominating entity in the communications market. The Commission did not miss a chance to institute proceedings against the company, regarded as pressure by the latter.

“The Commission’s decision imposing a 300m AMD fine on the company has been appealed against in court. Judicial sittings are regularly adjourned on the Commission’s initiative. On the other hand, the Commission initiated talks with ArmenTel to reach an agreement,” Sandukhchyan said. He stressed the company’s positions are rather strong, and it is no coincidence the Commission initiated the talks.

“The latest proceedings, which have to do with the company’s Hi Line service, were instituted on the Commission’s activities, and the judicial act was approved with errors. Moreover, the Commission is instituting new proceedings in connection with ArmenTel tariffs,” Sandukhchyan said. He stressed that the Commission’s attempt to both negotiate and institute proceedings suggest it is not going to reach an agreement, but “temporizing” to force the company into paying the fine.