Five activists were arrested on Baghramyan Avenue, among whom was Maxim Sargsyan, the coordinator of "No to ripoff" movement.
The protesters demand the release of the activists within half an hour threatening to block the avenue and paralyze the traffic. The situation on Baghramyan Avenue is gradually heating up and there are constantl clashes between the protesters and the police. Protesters presume that the government is deceiving the people, and does not intend to solve the problem with the increase of electricity tariffs. Since August 1 the new increase in electricity tariffs take effect.
Earlier, "Electric Networks of Armenia " (ENA) CJSC submitted an application of the increase in electricity tariffs to the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of Armenia, which the parliamentary opposition and civil society felt completely ill-founded and serving the interests of the company. Before August 1, 2015 the rate for the population was 41.85 drams per 1 kWh at daytime and 31.85 - at night. The ENA application proposed increase to 58 and 48 drams respectively. However, on June 17, the Commission partially met the request of ENA to increase tariffs for electricity. Electricity tariffs in the country have increased, but not by 17 AMD, and AMD 6.93.