Baku, Azerbaijan, June 26
Trend:
The number of participants of the protest action against the increase in electricity tariffs has increased by several times in Yerevan, Armenia, NEWS.am reported.
Aside from the Baghramyan Avenue, the Moskovyan-Baghramyan crossroad has also been blocked right up to the France Square, which even more hampers the movement of vehicles in the city's center, said the report.
Reportedly, the police have urged the initiators to free the crossroad in order not to hamper the movement on the Moskovyan street.
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.