YEREVAN. - After three hours of attempt, three of the “Rise up, Armenia” initiative members managed to break through the police cordon and sit on the paved oval in the centre of Yerevan’s Republic Square. 

The policemen took them out of the centre very quickly dragging by feet and hands, Armenian News - NEWS.am correspondent reports. The initiative Council member Davit Sanasaryan, who was one of those who broke through the cordon, announced that by that step the activists showed that they can easily move to the square’s paved oval any moment.

Currently over dozens of activists and other citizens are continuing their sit-in in the square in front of the police cordon. The initiative members have announced for several times that they will achieve their aim and stage their 72-hour sit-in right in the centre of the square.

Davit Sanasaryan announced they are going to stay overnight in the Republic Square.

Yerevan Deputy Chief of Police Valery Osipyan approached Sanasaryan and urged him to stop the civil disobedience actions, follow his advice and stage the sit-in in the area close to the fountains. Sanasaryan turned down Osipyan’s suggestion.

Earlier, the movement announced that they are launching a 72-hour sit-in since today. At the same time, initiative members have launched awareness action in Armenia’s Vanadzor city. The participants will hold similar actions in Armenia’s Gyumri, Talin and Ashtarak cities, and will then come to the capital 

“No to Plunder” initiative members, who raised the first wave of protest against electricity price hike in Yerevan’s Baghramyan Avenue, have refused to participate in the sit-in.

“Rise up, Armenia” initiative had also announced that if the decision on electricity price hike isn’t revoked, they will start a number of protests since July 27. The initiative members will visit provinces and block streets.