YEREVAN. - The Armenian citizens protesting electricity price hike in Yerevan’s Baghramyan Avenue for more than 3 hours are at the moment discussing their future actions (photos).

Maxim Sargsyan, one of the activists, proposed to go back to Liberty Square, where they could continue their discussions. But part of the protesters announced they are not going to leave Baghramyan Avenue.

Following 10-15 minute-long discussion, part of the protesters decided to stay in Baghramyan Avenue. The discussion is continuing at the moment. 

Yerevan Deputy Chief of Police Valery Osipyan announced they have received a number of alerts that the residents in the adjacent buildings are complaining that the protest action is disturbing their peace. The protesters silenced Osipyan by whistles.

The police officers have blocked the way of the thousands of protesters in Baghramyan Avenue. Baghramyan Avenue and Demirchyan Street are also filled with water cannons and military cars, as well as barbed wire. The police officers wear bullet-proof vests and are armed with shields and rubber sticks.

Along with the police officers, there are also lots of plainclothes men standing in front of the police chain. Despite the warnings, hundreds of protesters are continuing to sit on the ground. Part of them is just lying in Baghramyan Avenue, singing patriotic songs.

Despite the numerous protest actions over the electricity price hike, the new electricity tariff was approved at the session of Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia (PSRC) on June 17.  The electricity price has gone up by 6,93 AMD, reaching 48,78 AMD (previously 41,85 AMD) per 1 kWh. Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) CJSC had proposed to raise the electricity price by 17 AMD per 1 kWh.