YEREVAN. – A criminal case will be launched in connection with the clash during the police crackdown of the sit-in by activists that fight against the decision on electricity price hike in Armenia (PHOTOS). 

Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned that this time, however, the detainees will not get off with just administrative penalties, and a criminal case will open on charges of hooliganism.

A total of 237 people were detained while dispersing the sit-in, and some of them will be included in this criminal case as defendants. 

They are still held in police stations, and it is not known when they will be released.

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 in downtown capital city Yerevan, and giving the authorities deadline until 7pm Monday, June 22. They stated that if the electricity price-hike decision was not canceled by then, they will head towards the Office of the President, which is located on Baghramian Avenue. Once the deadline had expired, the demonstrators marched towards the avenue. The police, however, blocked Baghramian Avenue, and subsequently, a sit-in was staged on the avenue. On early Tuesday morning, however, the police dispersed the demonstration by using water cannon, and detained many activists and journalists.

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.