YEREVAN. – The “No to Plunder” initiative of Armenia has issued a statement.

“Dear compatriots, the protest continues against the unlawful electricity [price] increase. The demonstrators have reclaimed the starting part of Baghramian Avenue [in capital city Yerevan] staying there all previous night.

“We will remain on the street until the decision on the unlawful increase of the electricity price is canceled.

“During the day, you may also join the participants in the [protest] action taking place at Baghramian [Avenue].

“The presence of each and every one of us is mandatory,” reads the statement.

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, including an Armenian News-News.am reporter.

As a result of the clash, eighteen people sought medical assistance in hospitals, and 237 people were detained. A criminal case on charges of hooliganism has been launched.

On Tuesday evening, however, the sit-in participants marched toward the Office of the President yet again and with a larger crowd, and the police blocked their way again. This time MPs and representatives of show business also joined the ongoing protest action, and they formed a human wall between the police and the demonstrators. Some of them even spent the night at Baghramian Avenue.