YEREVAN. – The number of activists, who are protesting, since Monday morning across the entrance of the Armenian National Assembly (NA) building, against the natural gas agreements signed between the Armenian and the Russian governments, is growing.   

But the number of police officers at the scene is growing, too.

The Demirchian Street, which runs along the entrance of the NA building, is full of police and several dozens of police cars, the Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter informs.  

The police have formed a human chain in front of the entrance, and another police chain is standing along the street. 

The activists stated that there may be plain-clothes police officers among them, and they may attempt to carry out provocations, and therefore they cautioned the fellow activists not to respond to any such provocations.     

The NA commenced its special session, during which the natural gas agreements, which were signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Armenia on December 2, are expected to be put to a vote.

Ordinary passers-by are joining the activists.

Pursuant to the aforesaid agreements, the remaining 20 percent of the ArmRusGazprom Company shares, which the Government of Armenia owns, will be sold to the Russian energy giant Gazprom Company. As a result, Armenia is expected be deprived of the opportunity to import natural gas from other countries, or to change the terms for the import of gas, until the year 2043.