YEREVAN. – The Police leave it up to the common sense of the demonstrators to vacate Baghramyan Avenue in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.
Yerevan Deputy Police Chief Valeri Osipyan, who visited the avenue on Thursday morning, stated the aforesaid. He added that these protesters—who are demonstrating against the recent decision to raise the price of electricity in the country—have unlawfully curtailed the free movement of others.
To the query on whether the Police now rule out the use of force against the demonstrators, Osipyan responded: “Although it is permitted by law, as you can see, nothing is being done.”
On the evening of June 23, numerous people—led by the “No to Plunder” initiative—had commenced a sit-in at Baghramyan Avenue, closed it off, and demanded the revoking of the decision to raise the price of electricity in the country. But on June 28—and following President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement—the “No to Plunder” members and supporters went to Liberty Square, whereas the majority stayed at Baghramyan Avenue.
Despite numerous protests, the Public Services Regulatory Commission recently increased the price of electricity in Armenia by 6.93 drams—instead of 17 drams, proposed by the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) Company—, per cubic meter, and this decision will take effect on August 1. But the decision is expected to be followed by an increase in the prices of numerous products and services in the country.
President Sargsyan, however, stated that the government will cover this price hike until an audit is conducted at the ENA, which supplies electricity to the country’s residents. Sargsyan also said he does not rule out returning the company to the Armenian government and transferring it to competitive management, if the audit shows that the aforesaid increase in electricity prices is unjustified.
