MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On June 17, Armenian authorities announced a 16.7-percent increase in household electricity tariffs in the country, effective from August 1. Two days later, mass protests against the rate hike began in Yerevan.
"The meetings are held in Washington, Glendale, cities in Germany and in other countries," Vaginak Shushanyan said as quoted by the Novosti-Armenia news agency.
Shushanyan added that protesters are ready to stay on city's central Marshal Baghramyan Avenue for a long time to come.
"I have the strength to protest for two more months," he pointed out.
On Tuesday morning, Yerevan police dispersed the crowd, attempted to march to the presidential residence, using water cannons. Almost 240 people, including journalists, were brought to police stations, and 25 have sought medical assistance.
On Thursday, activists rejected the prime minister’s request to clear Baghramyan Avenue that they have been blocking since the beginning of the protests.
The protesters demand that Armenian authorities put on hold the decision on raising the household electricity tariffs, start talks on the lowering of the tariffs with activists and hold accountable the police officers who used force against activists and journalists.
