Baku, Azerbaijan, June 25
Trend:
The participants of the protest action continuing in Yerevan's center against the increase in electricity tariffs in Armenia, do not intend to free the Baghramyan Avenue, RIA Novosti reported.
Earlier today, Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan urged the protestors to free the avenue. He said the government is ready to discuss any issue, but impeding the free movement of the citizens is the violation of the constitution and the laws.
"Hovik Abrahamyan's remarks do not mean anything for us," Vaginak Shushanyan, the organizer of the protest action - "No robbery!" public initiative said on Radio Azatutyun (Armenian service of Radio Liberty).
He added that the members of the initiative will try to change their strategy, since the authorities "do not want to pay attention and understand how long we are ready to stay here."
On June 23, the Armenian police broke up a rally in the center of the country's capital. The rally was held in protest against the increased electricity tariffs. The protests in the streets resulted in use of water cannons against people.
Over 230 people got arrested as a result of violent crackdown, including journalists of Gala TV, the Radio Liberty's Armenian office, the Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper, the Hetq, News.am, Panarmenian.net news agencies.
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 that believes the rise in the cost of electricity will lead to higher prices for essential goods and many services.