Rally in Yerevan leads to use of water cannons against protesters, arrests

Baku, Azerbaijan, June 23

Trend:

The Armenian police broke up a rally in the center of the country's capital of Yerevan on morning, June 23.

The rally was held in protest against the increase in the electricity tariffs, the Russian Tass news agency reported June 23.

Powerful jets of water cannons pushed the protesters to the Marshal Baghramyan Avenue towards the Opera Theatre.

The arrests were also carried out.

On June 17, Armenia's Public Services Regulatory Commission, considering a request from the distribution company, Electric Networks of Armenia, which is a subsidiary of the Inter RAO UES, raised the electricity tariffs by 6.93 Armenian drams (about $0.015).

This caused discontent among the population, who believes that the rise in the cost of electricity will lead to higher prices for essential goods and many services.

Earlier there was a sit-in demonstration under the slogan "No to robbery!" at the Liberty Square in front of the Yerevan Opera Theatre demanding to cancel the regulatory commission's decision.

Edited by SI