Armenian president suspends increase in electricity prices
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has suspended an increase in household electricity prices in a bid to end protests in the capital Yerevan.
Sargsyan said on Saturday that the government would bear the burden of growing electricity costs until the end of a price review by the power company.
Some protest organizers, however, did not disperse and urged demonstrators to remain on the capital’s main street until the hikes are entirely reversed, saying they would decide on Sunday evening whether or not to continue the protests.
The demonstrations began last Monday, when 4,000 protesters marched towards the presidential palace in protest against a government decision on June 17 to increase power prices for households by 16 percent from August 1.
Activists have urged Armenians to "join the struggle from home" and turn off their lights and electrical devices for an hour each day.
Last Tuesday, over 6,000 people gathered near the presidential palace and hundreds of others took part in an overnight sit-in.
The protests turned violent after police launched an attack on reporters and arrested 240 demonstrators.
Activists have taken to social media networks to bolster their campaign.
Armenia depends on its neighboring countries to supply energy and most of the raw material it needs.
With a population of over three million, the country is the second most densely populated of the former Soviet republics. Armenia’s economy relies heavily on money invested and sent in by the expatriate Armenians working abroad.
MSM/NT/AS
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