Baku, Azerbaijan, July 2
Trend:
The participants of the protest action against the increase of electricity tariffs in Armenia do not intend to negotiate with the police, Armenia Today reported.
The new coordination group doesn't intend to hold talks with the police on changing the place of the protest action, David Sanasaryan, the member of the coordination group told the Radio Azatutyun (Armenian service of Radio Liberty).
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 SI