By the June 25 governmental decision, five reps of NGOs will receive seats in the disciplinary committee of the Armenian Police.
According to the Armenian Prime Minister the main purpose of the committee is to investigate into the cases of police officers who used force against rally participants on June 23.
The society is expecting that the committee carry out a transparent and unbiased investigation. Abrahamyan called upon activists for a meaningful dialogue. He believes that their current behaviour will lead to a failure. He added that blocking Baghramyan Avenue contradicts the Armenian legislation and constitution.
The protests against a looming 17 per cent rise in electricity prices began last Friday, and thousands took to the streets in Yerevan on Tuesday morning. The demonstrators were charged by police and fired upon with water cannon after they blocked a main street in the capital. More than 200 protesters were reportedly arrested, while 14 demonstrators and 11 police were injured. Those detained on Tuesdayhave since been released. Hundreds of demonstrators returned today to continue the protest.
To note, the actions of protest against the rise in electricity tariffs have been held in Yerevan for five days already. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan expressed willingness to receive the delegation of the protesters and discuss their problems, however, the activists refused that proposal. On June 23 morning, the police used special means to disperse the sit-down strike of the protesters. But on June 23 evening they gathered in Baghramayan Ave again. Opposition parliamentarians also went to Baghramyan Ave. It is noteworthy that Samvel Farmanyan and Armen Ashotyan, representatives of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), were also at the scene.
Various international organizations and some foreign diplomatic missions in Armenia have slammed the police's actions against the peaceful demonstrators and journalists. They suggest immediately releasing all the detainees and investigating the cases of violence.