Residents of Armenia refuse to stop their protest

Yerevan continues to protest against the raise in the prices for electricity. Protestors have blocked Bagramyan Avenue.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 19, in the Armenian capital, activists declared a sit-in strike against the decision to raise the electricity tariffs. On June 22, they began a march to the presidential residence; however, by the morning of June 23, the protestors in Bagramyan Avenue were dispersed by the police. On June 23, a new rally was started in the centre of Yerevan. The protestors demanded from the President to cancel the decision to raise the prices for electricity.

The police have not yet intervene in the events and take no measures to break up the protest action. According to Unan Pogosyan, the Deputy Chief of the Armenian Police, the police will not take any measures to disperse the protesters as long as their protest action is peaceful.

The activists voice their calls to cancel the decision to raise electricity tariffs. They are chanting: "We will win!" The activists call on city residents to join their protest action.

On its Facebook page, the US Embassy in Armenia has published a statement condemning the dispersal of the protestors in Yerevan on June 22. In its statement, the US Embassy declares that freedom of speech and right to hold a peaceful protest are one of the pillars of democracy.

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