YEREVAN. – A group of activists on Tuesday are staging a demonstration, in front of the Public Services Regulatory Commission building in capital city Yerevan, against the possible raising of electricity prices in Armenia.
The situation is getting more intense.

The protestors want to attend the aforesaid commission’s session, during which the electricity price hike issue will be discussed. 

Activists threaten not to wait for a respective invitation, break through the police wall, and enter the building. 
Several opposition politicians have joined the protestors’ demand.

The activists also demand that Robert Nazaryan, Chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission, come out and speak with them. Otherwise, they threaten to block the street in front of the commission building. 

During a similar demonstration that was held on June 23, the police had used excessive force against the protestors and detained about thirty people, and several demonstrators were injured.  

As of August 1, the Public Services Regulatory Commission plans to increase the electricity price in Armenia by 10 percent thus making it about 42 drams (approx. US 10 cents), per cubic meter, for most residents.     

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am