Baku, Azerbaijan, July 6
Trend:
At least 40-50 activists have been detained as a result of dispersal of the protest action against the increase in electricity tariffs in Armenia, Maxim Sargsyan, one of the leaders of the protestors told RIA Novosti.
“Currently, we are trying to find out the exact number of the detainees and the place where they were taken,” he said. “Afterwards, we will decide on our further activities.”
The traffic on Baghramyan Avenue has been restored and the sidewalks are still guarded by the police who do not allow the protestors to return to the roadway.
On June 23, Armenian police broke up a rally in the center of the country’s capital. The rally was held in protest against the increased electricity tariffs. The protests in the streets resulted in use of water cannons against people.
Over 230 people got arrested as a result of violent crackdown, including journalists of Gala TV, the Radio Liberty’s Armenian office, the Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper, the Hetq, News.am, Panarmenian.net news agencies.
On June 17, Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission, considering a request from the distribution company, Electric Networks of Armenia, which is a subsidiary of the Inter RAO UES, raised the electricity tariffs by 6.93 Armenian drams (about $0.015). This caused discontent among the population that believes the rise in the cost of electricity will lead to higher prices for essential goods and many services.
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