In Yerevan, protesters involved in case on disorderly conduct

The Prosecutor's Office of Armenia has initiated a criminal case on disorderly conduct and violation of public order against detained people, who were protesting against the increase in electricity tariffs. The detainees face fines or one-month arrests.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 17 Armenia made a decision to increase electricity tariffs starting August 1. On June 19, in Yerevan, protesters went out to an action against the tariff rise. They announced a sit-in strike in Freedom Square and gave time to the authorities until June 22 to cancel the tariff-rising decision. On June 22, opponents of the increase in electricity tariffs in Armenia held a sitting strike in Bagramyan Avenue. They refused to obey the police order to clear the roadway and announced their intention to spend the whole night there. At night of June 23, in Yerevan, the police used water cannons to disperse the protestors. Eleven policemen and seven protestors were injured in the clashes. 237 people were detained.

The Armenian General Prosecutor's Office has instituted a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (disorderly conduct and gross violation of public order). This has been told today to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by a press officer of the Armenian Prosecutor's Office. The Article stipulates the punishment in the form of a fine or one-month arrest.

All 237 detained activists are still being kept at the police stations, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Ashot Agaronyan, the police press secretary.

It should be noted that early this morning, in Gyumri, where people organized a peaceful protest action against the increase in electricity tariffs, the police also dispersed the protesters with the use of special equipment. Some protestors were detained.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.