Yerevan deputy police chief calls on demonstrators on Bagramyan Avenue to come to their senses and leave
“I ask you to reconsider your decision and inform law enforcers that the protest action is over and you are leaving,” Deputy Chief of the Yerevan Police Valery Osipyan said when addressing the demonstrators who gathered on Bagramyan Avenue in Yerevan to protest a rise in power tariffs. He reminded those present that they are violating law and order.
As was reported, on June 28 demonstrators against the power tariff hike divided into two groups after blocking Bagramyan Avenue in central Yerevan for over a week. The presidential residence, the Armenian parliament, Constitutional Court, and several embassies are located on that avenue. Following the statement made by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on June 27, the organizers of the rally attended by thousands – members of ‘No to Robbery’ civic initiative called on protesters to leave the avenue and return to Liberty Square nearby. Yet some of the demonstrators refused to leave.. Police warned several times that they plan to open the street so normal traffic could resume.