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Well-known comedian Vardan Petrosyan who was sentenced to 5 years in prison in January went on a hunger strike this afternoon in ‘Nubarashen’ penal institution, Panorama.am learned from his sister, Ashkhen Petrosyan.

According to her, Vardan Petrosyan started a hunger strike in solidarity with participants of the protest held by ‘No to Robbery’ civil initiative to protest a rise in power tariffs in Armenia.

“Physically, I am not with you, but in this way I want express my solidarity to all the participants of the protest action,” the comedian was quoted as saying by his sister.

As reported, Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) Company earlier submitted a bid to the Public Services Regulatory Commission about a rise in electricity tariffs. The parliamentary opposition considers it unfounded and serving the interests of that company. The current night-time tariff for the population is 31.85 drams per one KWh, the daytime tariff is 41.85 drams. The bid of ENA proposed raising the tariffs to 48 and 58 drams respectively. Yet the Commission satisfied the bid of ENA only partially on June 17. The tariffs in Armenia will increase by 6.93 drams, and not by 17 drams. The Commission’s decision will take force on August 1, 2015. The decision led to non-stop protests by ‘No to Robbery’ civic initiative. The participants demand that the head of state revoke the Commission’s decision.