Protesters in Yerevan say they will not leave unless their demands are fulfilled

Protests in Yerevan will continue unless the authorities meet the demands of the people and cancel the decision to raise the electricity prices, Novosti-Armenia quotes Vaghinak Shushanyan, a member of the “No To Plunder” coordinating group, as saying at the ongoing demonstration on Baghramyan Avenue in Yerevan.

According to the activist, all the actions of protest must be peaceful and observe the law strictly. “Yet, we will continue our protests irrespective of whether there are three protesters or thousands,” Shushanyan said.

As EADaily reported earlier, the Public Services Regulatory Committee of Armenia adopted a decision on June 17 to raise the electricity price by 6.93 drams starting from August 1 2015.  In particular, the new daytime electricity price for the population will increase to 48.78 drams (by 10 cents) per kWh, and the one for the night hours will rise to 38.78 drams (by 8 cents) per kWh. Earlier, the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) Company requested a rise of the electricity price by 17 drams, which sparked nation-wide protests in the country. The protests continue on the Baghramyan Avenue, where the presidential compound is located, for several days already.

Earlier, at dawn of June 23, after repeated warnings, the police dispersed the protesters using water cannons.  Reportedly, the police detained and later set free 237 members of the “No To Plunder” movement protesting against the electricity price hike.