A sit-in is underway at Yerevan’s Liberty Square to protest the rise of power tariffs in Armenia. Fewer activists are participating today (June 20): many went home after spending the night here. The protesters hope that today activists from Gyumri and other cities will join their ranks.

“No to Robbery” civic initiative and several political forces staged a rally in Yerevan yesterday to protest the rise in tariffs. The activists then decided to hold a three-day sit-in.

Deputy Chief of Yerevan police Valery Osipyan declared that all actions of protesters were illegal as they were allowed to stage a protest until 11 pm. Yet given the fact that it was a peaceful action, the police decided to allow participants to stay in Liberty Square, he added.

Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) Company earlier submitted a bid to the Public Services Regulatory Commission about a rise in electricity tariffs. The parliamentary opposition considers the move unfounded and initiated to serve the interests of ENA. The current night-time tariff for the population is AMD 31.85 per KWH, the daytime tariff is AMD 41.85. The bid of ENA proposed raising the tariffs to AMD 48 and 58 respectively. Yet the Commission satisfied the bid only partially on June 17, with the increase set at AMD 6.93 instead of AMD 17.

The Commission’s decision will take force on August 1, 2015.