Baku, Azerbaijan, July 6
Trend:
The police and municipal representatives removed the barricades made of garbage bins across the Baghramyan Avenue in the center of the Armenian capital, RIA Novosti reported.
However, the protesters are standing across the avenue and will not allow the restoration of traffic on one of the central streets of the city.
Deputy Chief of the Yerevan Police Valery Osipyan is attempting to persuade the protesters to disperse and restore the traffic on the avenue. The protesters refuse to do this. Several citizens and journalists are observing this situation.
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.
Edited by CN