YEREVAN. - Yerevan Deputy Chief of Police Valery Osipyan urges the initiators of the protest against the electricity price hike to stay in Yerevan’s Liberty Square and not lead the people to an artificial clash. (photos)

“We don’t mind your assembly in Liberty Square, though its illegal. But the police forces have surrounded the entire area of the Opera to ban the illegal march,” Osipyan said.

The rally initiator Narek Ayvazyan told Osipyan they have no wish to go for clashes and that all their actions will be peaceful in nature.

Large number of police officers is present in Liberty Square. The police forces are concentrated by all the entrances to the square.  

Following the two-week sit-in, the police opened Yerevan’s central Baghramyan Avenue on Monday. The protestors, 40 of which were detained, moved to the Liberty Square. Today protestors have convened a rally in Liberty Square, following which they may launch a march.

Photos by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am