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Environmental activist Tehmine Yenokyan claims the workstyle of Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine (ZCMC) and Lydian Armenia has dramatically changed after the Armenian government got stakes in the mining companies.

At a news conference on Monday, Yenokyan, who heads the Green Armenia NGO, referred to defamation lawsuits filed by the companies against eco-activists and human rights defenders critical of their activities. ZCMC has twice sued Yenokyan for defamation.

“Taking legal action against us and demanding large sums in an effort to intimidate us is a losing strategy,” the activist said, hailing their defense lawyers. “In my case, it’s already yielded good results.”

She says in response to numerous issues raised by environmental activists, the government agencies take a passive stance, stating that they do not interfere with legal actions.

“The Republic of Armenia cannot be a shareholder of a company and only gain profits, without bearing any responsibility for the damage caused by it,” the activist underscored.