About a thousand march in Yerevan against increase of electricity tariff (+video)

A march against the increase of electricity tariff began today from Freedom Square in Yerevan. Despite the rain, it was attended by about 1000 people; and some 3000 more gathered in Bagramyan Avenue, Armen Mkrtchyan, a member of the initiative group "No to robbery!", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

He called on the media not to politicize the protest movement. "Some mass media, mainly Russian ones, spread false information that the protest movement is funded by the West, calling the action 'Armenian Maydan'. I urge to refrain from unjustified statements. It's a social rebellion, aimed at the abolition of the decision to increase the electricity tariff," said Mkrtchyan.

The marchers reached and joined the protesters in Bagramyan Avenue, where a sit-in strike against the tariff increase continues. According to organizers, as of 9:20 p.m., in total, about 8000 people have gathered there.

The authorities have no right to ignore the demands of thousands of citizens, Maxim Sargsyan, another member of the initiative group "No to robbery!", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. According to his story, should the authorities refuse to fulfil the demand and cancel the decision to increase the electricity tariff, activists intend to use all means of civil disobedience to achieve their victory.

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