.jpg)
Baku, Azerbaijan, June 24
Trend:
More and more cities and communities of Armenia are joining the rally against the increase in electricity prices, Armenia Today reported.
The rallies are being held in the city of Vanadzor. The sit-in rally is being held in Gyumri.
Vaginak Shushanyan, the member of the "No robbery" initiative, informed the participants that a large-scale rally against the increase in electricity prices will be held in Aragatsotn at 18:00 (UTC/GMT +4 hours) June 24.
He also said that a rally against this decision is also being carried out by representatives of the Armenian community abroad. A rally was also held at the Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles. Rallies are being held in Strasbourg and several cities in France and Germany.
Currently, the protesters are blocking the Baghramyan Avenue in the center of the Armenian capital.
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