Riot police preparing to disperse protesters in Baghramian street
22.06.2015,
21:11
Armenia's riot police are preparing to disperse protesters in Yerevan demonstrating against the rise in electricity price, who have camped in central Baghramian street in downtown Yerevan.
YEREVAN, June 22. / ARKA /. Armenia's riot police are preparing to disperse protesters in Yerevan demonstrating against the rise in electricity price, who have camped in central Baghramian street in downtown Yerevan.
Prior to this, the police told the journalists to leave the area so as not to interfere with their activities.
They have also brought a water cannon.
On June 19 protesters declared a three-day sit-in in Freedom Square in Yerevan saying on Monday they would march to the presidential administration to demand that the president cancel the latest rise in electricity price.
Deputy police chief Valery Osipyan conveyed to the demonstrators the request of his superior that the protesters form a 5-member group whom president Serzh Sargsyan is ready to receive to discuss the situation, but the protesters denied the offer. The police warned that they will prevent attempts to disturb public order.
On June 17 Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) formally raised the prices of electricity by over 16 percent, down from 40 percent rise sought by Armenia’s Russian-owned power distribution company - the Electricity Networks of Armenia (ENA).
This means that the daytime electricity price for households will rise from 42 drams to almost 49 drams (10 U.S. cents) per kilowatt/hour. The households will pay almost 39 drams per kilowatt/hour during night hours.
The daytime electricity price for households already went up by 27 percent in July 2013 because of the increased cost of Russian natural gas generating more than one-third of Armenia’s electricity. The PSRC raised it by another 10 percent in July 2014.
The Electricity Networks of Armenia is a 100% subsidiary of Russian INTER RAO UES. ($ 1 - 473.96 drams). --0-
Prior to this, the police told the journalists to leave the area so as not to interfere with their activities.
They have also brought a water cannon.
On June 19 protesters declared a three-day sit-in in Freedom Square in Yerevan saying on Monday they would march to the presidential administration to demand that the president cancel the latest rise in electricity price.
Deputy police chief Valery Osipyan conveyed to the demonstrators the request of his superior that the protesters form a 5-member group whom president Serzh Sargsyan is ready to receive to discuss the situation, but the protesters denied the offer. The police warned that they will prevent attempts to disturb public order.
On June 17 Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) formally raised the prices of electricity by over 16 percent, down from 40 percent rise sought by Armenia’s Russian-owned power distribution company - the Electricity Networks of Armenia (ENA).
This means that the daytime electricity price for households will rise from 42 drams to almost 49 drams (10 U.S. cents) per kilowatt/hour. The households will pay almost 39 drams per kilowatt/hour during night hours.
The daytime electricity price for households already went up by 27 percent in July 2013 because of the increased cost of Russian natural gas generating more than one-third of Armenia’s electricity. The PSRC raised it by another 10 percent in July 2014.
The Electricity Networks of Armenia is a 100% subsidiary of Russian INTER RAO UES. ($ 1 - 473.96 drams). --0-
