Baku, Azerbaijan, July 6
Trend:
The rally participants are gathering on Yerevan's Freedom Square to discuss the further actions, RIA Novosti reported.
Dozens of people are gathering to discuss different ideas, in particular, to start the rally on the square or to urge their supporters to block the avenue again.
Several police officers led by deputy chief of Yerevan's police Valery Osipyan are also here. Osipyan urges the protesters not to commit illegal actions.
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