Armenia police detain 237 during protest against increased electricity prices
Armenian police have detained over 200 protesters rallying in the capital against a hike in electricity prices.
A total of 237 participants in the rally were arrested in downtown Yerevan on Tuesday, according to police.
Police spokesman Armen Malkhasyan told TASS news agency that 18 people were injured during the rally, including 11 police officers.
Police added it found knives, brass knuckles, batons and metal rods on some of the detained protesters.
Riot police used water canon to disperse the demonstrators.
Alongside the riot police, undercover officers took part in the police operation beating journalists, destroying or confiscating their equipment.
The unrest in the country began on Monday, when 4,000 protesters marched on the presidential palace in protest against a government decision to increase power tariffs for households by 16 percent from August 1.
The protesters expressed anger against President Serzh Sarkisian’s administration for its failed policy to fight poverty in the landlocked country.
Several hundred demonstrators held a sit-in overnight and blocked the traffic flow in protest.
The government’s decision to increase the price of electric power followed a request by the electricity company.
Armenia depends on its neighboring countries to supply energy and most of the raw material it needs.
The country has a population of over three million and is the second most densely populated of the former Soviet republics. There has been a problem of population decline due to high level of emigration in the country. Armenia’s economy relies heavily on money invested and sent in by the expatriate Armenians working abroad.
XLS/HSN/HMV
Tens of thousands of Catalans protest to demand access to better housing
Iran urges pope to help end Israeli onslaught in Gaza
Russia launches 'ICBM' for first time against Ukraine: Kiev
Lindsey Graham threatens to sanction US allies backing ICC arrest warrants
VIDEO | Tens of thousands of Catalans protest to demand access to better housing
Israel launches air strikes on Syria-Lebanon border crossing
Russia: Comprehensive deal with Iran will include defense, security ties
VIDEO | Israeli embassy shooting in Jordan leaves gunman dead, 3 police injured
VIDEO | Paris march in support of Palestine women
VIDEO | ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister, ousted regime war minister
120 Palestinians perish as Israeli war machine keeps ravaging Gaza
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
