An action of the residents who lost their flats passed off in Yerevan

On January, 19, an action of former residents of Aram, Buizand, Ekmalyan and Saryan streets passed off in Yerevan. The people who lost their flats intend to continue protest actions until the problem is solved.

The territory where the protesters' houses had been located was acknowledged a zone of predominant state interest. Quarters of elite dwellings were constructed in this area. In 2006 the developer "Grandinvest" signed an agreement with the residents which stipulated providing the tenants with flats in the new buildings but the participants of the action state that the dwellings were resold to some third parties.

Over 100 people took part in the picket. "There were a lot of elderly people and the weather was cold. A policemen suggested: "Wouldn't it be better for you to break up? We are feeling cold, too", Tert.am quotes participant of the action, former resident of Ekmalyan street Marina Amiryan. According to her, the policemen rejected the participants' request to allow them set a tent opposite the President's residence.

The picketers intended to meet with Minister of Justice Grair Tovmasyan but the latter preferred not to use the front access door for coming out, so, the picketers decided to appeal to Minister of Defense Seiran Oganyan. The officer replied that the question was outside his competence and said that he would try to act as intermediary in solving the problem, 1in.am reports.

After they reported the problem to the Minister of Defense, the participants of the action went to the President's residence again. There they held a four-hours sitting picket and broke up arranging to come again on January, 20. The participants declared that they would possibly have to go on a hunger strike.

There are no comments from the developer concerning the tenants' action as yet. According to the information of Epress.am, the managers of the construction enterprise have a wanted notice.