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Supporters of ‘No to Plunder’ – a civic initiative that staged the first wave of rallies against a rise in electricity tariffs in Armenia in June and early July and resumed their protest today, on September 1 – have attempted a few times today to block the main Bagramyan Avenue in Yerevan. Policemen prevented them from doing so.

The demonstrators say they want to block the avenue to remind the authorities of their main demand – cancellation of the decision on the power tariff rise in Armenia.

They also said the police detained activists Maksim Sargsyan, Artush Chibukhchyan, Vahram Petrosyan and another two protesters.
Maksim Sargsyan earlier told reporters that today they are starting a new stage of their struggle, but it is still not clear whether they will hold protests daily or weekly. “We will determine our further actions during discussions,” he said. The activist noted that the Armenian government’s statements about subsidizing the increased electricity price and conducting an audit of Electric Networks of Armenia Company are unacceptable to their initiative and will not affect their further struggle. Maksim Sargsyan did not rule the repetition of Yerevan rallies staged in late June and early July when protesters blocked for over a week downtown Bagramyan Avenue where the presidential residence, the parliament, the constitutional court and several embassies are located.