Protesters in Yerevan ready to hold rallies indefinitely

The protest at the Baghramyan Avenue in Yerevan will continue until “all three demands of the protesters” are met, Maxim Sargsyan, on of the leaders of the activists, told reporters June 30, according to RIA Novosti.

“We will stay there until our three demands are met,” said Sargsyan, elaborating that those demands are the cancellation of the June 17 decisions on increasing the electricity tariffs, to revise the prices to decrease them, and to punish those responsible for the crackdown on the June 23 rally.

However, Sargsyan admitted that he doesn’t know whether those demands will be met or not.

“They can [meet them], but they don’t want to,” said Sargsyan, adding that the other activists are ready to continue their rally indefinitely.

“We aren’t breaking any laws, while we are of course causing inconvenience to the residents, it should be tolerated,” said Sargsyan. “I myself am a driver, it is convenient for me to drive directly through the Baghramyan [Avenue] (blocked by the protesters), but we are fighting for the common interests.”

Earlier, the Armenian authorities decided to raise the electricity tariffs by 16 percent. This sparked a protest that started in Yerevan on June 19 and on the night between June 22 and June 23 it turned into a march towards the presidential residence at the Baghramyan Avenue.

The police using truncheons and water cannons dispersed the demonstrators. Nearly 240 people, including journalists, were taken to police stations, 18 people sought medical help.

The rally resumed in the evening on June 23. Those who gathered at Liberty Square again marched to the presidential residence, but their way was once again blocked by the police cordons.

/By Trend/