YEREVAN — Thousands of Armenians launched a second week of protests on Monday against a hike in electricity prices, rejecting the government's concession to suspend the increase temporarily.
The government decided on Saturday to cover the price rise out of state funds, rather than increase customers' bills, until an independent audit of the electricity supply company is completed.
But thousands of protesters remained at their sit-in on an avenue near the presidential palace in the capital Yerevan, while hundreds moved to nearby Freedom Square.
"We will stay here until our demand is fulfilled. … Electricity tariff rises will lead to rises in all other prices," activist Hmayk Mkrtchyan told Reuters.
The crowd, which has tended to dwindle during the day but swell again at night, has made barricades of rubbish bins and carries posters with slogans like "I'm not going to pay! Will you?" and "Stop robbing people!"
The rally has been peaceful since last Tuesday, when police used water cannons against demonstrators and detained about 200 but were unable to break up the rally.
The cash-strapped southern Caucasus nation of 3.2 million was once part of the Soviet Union and has been hit hard by an economic downturn in Russia, its main ally.
The state regulatory commission decided in mid-June electricity prices paid by the public should rise from Aug. 1, after the distribution company, a subsidiary of Russian firm Inter RAO, said it was needed because of a decline in the dram currency.
Armenian officials have called the planned increases justified but have proposed an independent audit of the company.
President Serzh Sargsyan on Saturday did not rule out the possibility that the electricity distribution company would be returned to the state.
Inter RAO said on Monday it did not plan to sell its Armenian unit. "We are not in talks and not planning a sale," a spokesman said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
