Sit-in to protest electricity hike underway in Yerevan June 20, 2015 - 16:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A sit-in is underway at Yerevan’s Liberty Square to protest the rise of power tariffs in Armenia. Fewer activists are participating today (June 20): many went home after spending the night here. The protesters hope that today activists from Gyumri and other cities will join their ranks.
“No to Robbery” civic initiative and several political forces staged a rally in Yerevan yesterday to protest the rise in tariffs. The activists then decided to hold a three-day sit-in.
Deputy Chief of Yerevan police Valery Osipyan declared that all actions of protesters were illegal as they were allowed to stage a protest until 11 pm. Yet given the fact that it was a peaceful action, the police decided to allow participants to stay in Liberty Square, he added.
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 the move unfounded and initiated to serve the interests of ENA. The current night-time tariff for the population is AMD 31.85 per KWH, the daytime tariff is AMD 41.85. The bid of ENA proposed raising the tariffs to AMD 48 and 58 respectively. Yet the Commission satisfied the bid only partially on June 17, with the increase set at AMD 6.93 instead of AMD 17. The Commission’s decision will take force on August 1, 2015. Top stories As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. Partner news | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Russia accuses West of preparing invasion of CSTO countries NATO is preparing an invasion of the CSTO countries, the number of provocations in the air is growing, Sergei Shoigu has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. U.S. “deeply troubled” by Azerbaijan's arrest of civil society members The United States is deeply troubled by the continued arrest of members of Azerbaijani civil society, Matthew Miller has said. |