Police call on protesters to not heat up tension
23.06.2015,
20:35
Armenian Police have called on demonstrators protesting against electricity price hike in the center of Yerevan to avoid clashes with the law-enforcement officers, not to heat up the tension by ‘emotional provocations’ and refrain from any violation of the law.
YEREVAN, June 23. / ARKA /. Armenian Police have called on demonstrators protesting against electricity price hike in the center of Yerevan to avoid clashes with the law-enforcement officers, not to heat up the tension by ‘emotional provocations’ and refrain from any violation of the law.
Several thousands demonstrators rallied in the Armenian capital Tuesday after riot police used water cannon to break up an earlier protest against electricity price hikes.
Waving national flags and chanting "Shame!" and "No to robbery!" angry protesters flooded Yerevan's central Freedom Square Tuesday evening, where from they moved towards the presidential administration building to demand cancellation of the price hike.
In a statement the police warned that any attempt to disrupt public order will lead to an adequate response.
"Once again we remind that the organizers of the rally are personally responsible for the observance of the rights and safety of participants. We remind that we are all citizens of one country and are responsible for the safety and future of Armenia ", the statement says.
Today early morning the riot police used water cannon to disperse several hundred demonstrators. Several thousands protesters had marched towards the presidential palace yesterday evening to protest against the rise in power tariffs. After the police blocked the street several hundred people remained overnight, holding a sit-in and blocking traffic on central Baghramyan Avenue. According to police, some 250 people were detained.
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. -0-
Several thousands demonstrators rallied in the Armenian capital Tuesday after riot police used water cannon to break up an earlier protest against electricity price hikes.
Waving national flags and chanting "Shame!" and "No to robbery!" angry protesters flooded Yerevan's central Freedom Square Tuesday evening, where from they moved towards the presidential administration building to demand cancellation of the price hike.
In a statement the police warned that any attempt to disrupt public order will lead to an adequate response.
"Once again we remind that the organizers of the rally are personally responsible for the observance of the rights and safety of participants. We remind that we are all citizens of one country and are responsible for the safety and future of Armenia ", the statement says.
Today early morning the riot police used water cannon to disperse several hundred demonstrators. Several thousands protesters had marched towards the presidential palace yesterday evening to protest against the rise in power tariffs. After the police blocked the street several hundred people remained overnight, holding a sit-in and blocking traffic on central Baghramyan Avenue. According to police, some 250 people were detained.
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. -0-
