Experts predict new protests in Armenia (+video)

The increase in electricity prices was just a pretext to intensify the protest movement in Armenia. This opinion was expressed by Armenian experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot". They see the true reasons for protests in mass dissatisfaction with social situation in the country and the power.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in Yerevan, members of the initiative group "No robbery!" and the movement "Arise, Armenia!" continue holding protests and demand the complete cancellation of the increased tariff.

Alexander Iskandaryan, Director of the Caucasus Institute, believes that the wave of protest in Armenia has not ended. "This process is absolutely not about the growth of electricity prices. Electricity is just an excuse. It is a protest in a series of protests. It is a manifestation of public dissatisfaction with the situation ­ the social situation, above all," the "Caucasian Knot" was told by Alexander Iskandaryan.

Levon Barsegyan, Chairman of the journalist club "Asparez" in Gyumri, has called the events in Bagramyan Avenue an "explosion of spring", which was being compressed starting from March 2008.

The expert has noted that he finds it difficult to predict future development of the events. "No one can predict what will happen next. No one expected, by the way, that the protest can be poured into Bagramyan Street. This Avenue has never been blocked for so long," the expert has said. And he continued: "The protest was allegedly caused by social reasons... However, everyone understood that it turned into a political movement, since the authorities failed to respond adequately."

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