Your trusted source

Deputy Chief of the Yerevan police Valery Osipyan called on demonstrators staging rallies on Bagramyan Avenue in Yerevan against a power tariff hike to remove voluntarily trash containers they placed across the avenue to build barricades. Osipyan urged them to restore public order. 
 

“You are conscious citizens. I think it is time for you to remove trash containers and restore public order,” he said. 
 

Protesters said they will do it only when all of their demands are met: to revoke the June 17 decision of Armenia’s Public Service Regulatory Commission about a rise in electricity tariff by 6.93 drams; to bring to count management of Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) Company; and to punish all policemen who committed violations during the events early June 23. 
 

V. Osipyan called on the rally participants to set up a group of serious, educated specialists and participate in the audit to be conducted soon in Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC.
 

“You have already done a useful thing. Many of you are unaware of that. You did it and got a positive assessment of society and the police. Now you are wasting time,” Osipyan told demonstrators. 
 

As was reported, on June 28 the demonstrators against the power tariff hike divided into two groups after blocking Bagramyan Avenue in downtown Yerevan for over a week. The presidential residence, the parliament, the Constitutional Court, and several embassies are located on that avenue. Following the June 27 statement  of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, the organizers of rallies attended by thousands – members of ‘No to Plunder’ civic initiative urged protesters to leave Bagramyan Avenue and move to Liberty Square nearby. Yet some of protesters refused to leave and continue blocking Bagramyan Avenue. On July 2 the Armenian police removed water cannon and armored personnel carriers from Bagramyan Avenue in Yerevan, while on the previous day the police called on the organizers and participants to respect the Constitution, laws and legitimate interests of others and unblock the avenue voluntarily.