YEREVAN. – The three activists, who are continuing their sit-in across the Armenian capital city Yerevan Municipality building, have petitioned to  Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan. 

They ask for the Ombudsman’s mediation so that a tent is pitched, or a sunshade is placed, in front of the city hall building.    

The activists also noted that, during their sit-in, the municipality had watered the grass across almost every day and, as a result, it was impossible for them to sit on the wet sidewalk.     

As per the activists, there were even nights when the lighting of that section was switched off.  

The youth that are continuing their sit-in, however, stressed that their demands have remained unchanged. 

To note, the activists—who are on the eleventh day of their sit-in—have several demands, which include the dismissals of Municipality Transport Department Chief Henrik Navasardyan and Yerevan Trans Company Director Misak Hambardzumyan.     

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, the Yerevan Municipality recent decision to increase the public transport fares in the city had brought about outbursts, several groups were formed in the social networks, and the initiatives were staging protests and distributing pamphlets against this decision. In addition, the Free Car initiative was launched, along the lines of which Armenia’s numerous well-known personalities, MPs, and ordinary residents were providing—with their own vehicles—free transportation to the people.

And on July 25, Mayor Taron Margaryan suspended the decision on the fare hike; but the wave of the aforesaid movement is still alive. The activists demand that the persons, who made the decision on raising the transport fares, be brought to account, and those officials, who used violence against and cursed at the activists, be punished.                     

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am