Coordinators of the movement against energy tariff hike held a rally at Freedom Square in Yerevan on Monday, July 6 evening, and decided to spend the night at the venue to outline further steps.
The picketers also said another demonstration will be held Thursday, RFE/RL Armenian service reports.
Besides, coordinating group member Davit Sanasaryan declared he was going on a hunger strike, calling on all the citizens to join their struggle.
Armenian police dispersed the protesters in Baghramyan Avenue and cleared the roadway from barricades constructed of garbage cans.
46 people, including 6 minors were detained as a result of the measures taken by the police. The minors were immediately set free, with the remaining 40 citizens being also eventually released.
“The police’ performance was excellent, adequate and balanced: our officers can serve as an example for those in other countries,” Yerevan Police Deputy Chief Valery Osipyan told reporters. In response to a question on whether physical force was used against the detained protesters, Osipyan said no violence was perpetrated, adding that the police will prevent all the unauthorized rallies in the future, according to Panorama.am.
