Talks with demonstrators in downtown Yerevan gave no result- statement by Armenian Police
The Armenian police issued a statement over the dispersal onTuesday morning, June 23, of demonstrators who blocked Bagramian Avenue in downtown Yerevan to protest a rise in electricity tariffs.
“Due to the need to restore public order, the Armenian Police conducted long negotiations to suggest that citizens who organized an unauthorized march on Bagramian Avenue should vacate the area. Loudspeakers are used several times to announce that Armenian President is prepared to hear the demands of rally participants.
“The organizers of the march ignored the calls and requests of police,” the statement says.
It is also noted that demonstrators were repeatedly warned about the right of police to use special means in case of their refusal to end the rally. The participants were offered to continue the rally in Liberty Square or any other (not busy) part of the city .
Yet the negotiations gave no result, the statement says. “In this situation the Police used force, under Article 34 of the Law on Freedom of Assembly that says that in case of refusal to end the rally voluntary, the police may disperse it.
Dozens of offenders were taken to police stations during the operation. There were reporters in the police operation zone. They ignored policemen’s calls to keep a reasonable distance away from the rally venue and not interfere with police duties , this becoming rally participants.
The police repeatedly warned reporters that like other citizens, they have to comply with demands of law enforcers.
As was reported, Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) Company earlier submitted a bid to the Public Services Regulatory Commission about a rise in electricity tariffs. The parliamentary opposition considers it unfounded and serving the interests of that company. The current night-time tariff for the population is 31.85 drams per one KWh, the daytime tariff is 41.85 drams. The bid of ENA proposed raising the tariffs to 48 and 58 drams respectively. Yet the Commission satisfied the bid of ENA only partially on June 17. The tariffs in Armenia will increase by 6.93 drams, and not by 17 drams.
The Commission’s decision will take force on August 1, 2015. On June 19 the civic initiative ‘No to Robbery’ staged a rally in Yerevan. The activists later decided to hold a 3-day sit-in in Yerevan’s Liberty Square. Late June 22, the demonstrators staged a march to the Presidential residence at 26 Bagramian Avenue.
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