YEREVAN. – Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan has addressed the municipality in connection with the rise in transport fares.

The human rights defender said his office had applied to the municipality with a request to provide legal and economic justification of the decision.

“We are trying to be unbiased and professional as much as possible in our assessments,” he said during the Tuesday press conference. “For me it is strange that only 3-4 months ago Yerevan mayor promised that there will be no price hike. I’m curious about the studies which will be provided to my office by the municipality. What has changed in 4 months to change the expectations of the mayor?”

Karen Andreasyan expressed his admiration for those who are carrying citizens on their vehicles free of charge. The participation of intellectuals is an indicative of developing civil society, he added.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am