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Baku, Azerbaijan, July 7
Trend:
Around 30 participants of the unauthorized protest against the increase of electricity tariffs in Armenia, stayed overnight in the center of Yerevan, on the Freedom Square, RIA Novosti reported.
Reportedly, one of the protestors has sewed up his mouth. He can't eat and speaks with difficulty, but is able to drink water.
Moreover, one of the leaders of the protest action David Sanasaryan continues his hunger strike.
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.