Yerevan /Mediamax/. Early this morning the police drove away the young participants of the sit-down strike, who were protesting against higher electricity prices.

Water canons were used against the protesters and physical force was applied. According to various reports, around 200 people were apprehended at various police departments.  The police carried out operations not only on Baghramyan Avenue but also at Freedom Square.

The police blockaded the Freedom Square in the morning and closed the square for civilians.

“No to Plunder” initiative started a sit-in at the freedom Square on June 19. The organizers had informed if the decision on increased electricity prices was not declared null and void till June 22, they would start a rally to the presidential residence.

On the evening of June 22, extensive police forces blocked the way of the rally participants and they started a sit-down strike on Baghramyan Avenue, not far from the Constitutional Court.

Deputy Chief of Police Valery Ospiyan urged the protesters to cease their actions calling them illegal. Later the police issued an official statement and warned that “while exercising their powers towards the violators, they are entitled to apply physical force and special means.”

Valery Ospiyan informed that President Serzh Sargsyan is ready to meet a three-four member group of protesters. However, the members of “No to Plunder” initiative refused it saying “they have nothing to discuss with Serzh Sargsyan.”

“We demand that the President declare the decision on the increase in electricity prices passed by the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) null and void. Let the President sign that document and we will go home,” they noted.

On the evening of June 22, Head of Office of Church Conceptual Issues of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan and Director of the Archives of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Fr. Asoghik Karapetyan arrived at Baghramyan Avenue. They said that they had come to prevent possible clashes between the police and the protesters. 

The protesters were repeatedly saying it was a solely peaceful initiative, which pursued no goal to start clashes. “Policemen are our brothers,” they used to say.

At around 5.20 am, the police drove water canons at protesters and “cleared” Baghramyan Avenue and the Freedom Square of the protesters.