YEREVAN. – Two hundred people staged a sit-in at night at Liberty Square in downtown of Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan.

A member of the “No to Plunder” initiative, Vaghinak Shushanyan, on Monday informed about the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“The night passed peacefully, there were about 200 sit-in participants at night, whereas 150 people had stayed toward the morning,” Shushanyan said. “The sit-in continues; at 19:00 [i.e. 7pm], we will march towards 26 Baghramian [Avenue, the official address of the Office of the President].”  

The “No to Plunder” initiative had unexpectedly announced, during the June 19 rally against the increase in the price of electricity, that they were starting a three-day sit-in at Liberty Square, and giving the authorities deadline until 7pm Monday, June 22. If the electricity price-hike decision is not canceled by then, they will head towards the Office of the President.

Despite numerous protests, the Public Services Regulatory Commission increased the price of electricity in Armenia, and this decision will take effect on August 1. The decision, however, is expected to be followed by an increase in the prices of numerous products and services in the country.