Clergymen stand as "live wall" between police and protesters in Yerevan

Politicians, actors and clergymen have come today to Bagramyan Avenue in Yerevan aiming not to admit any clashes of the police with the protesters against the rise in electricity tariff.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 17, the Commission for Regulation of Public Services (CRPS) of Armenia made a decision to increase electricity tariffs, starting from August 1, by 6.93 drams per 1 kW/h. This decision caused a series of protests around the country. On June 19, in the Armenian capital, activists declared a sit-in strike against the decision to raise the electricity tariffs. On June 22, they began a march to the presidential residence; however, by the morning of June 23, the protestors in Bagramyan Avenue were dispersed by the police. On June 23, a new rally was started in the centre of Yerevan. The protestors demand from the President to cancel the decision to raise the prices for electricity.

Unlike the previous two nights, last night policemen stood in two lines of cordon; backed up by special machinery, including water cannon.

Some 20 politicians and actors have come to stand as a "live wall" between protesters and the police; clergymen also came to help them.

Bagramyan Avenue is closed for motor traffic for the third day; however after three days of protests the street remains clean, as every morning coordinators of the action clean it.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.