Yerevan police blocks central avenue to bar protestors from presidential residence
YEREVAN. June 23 (Interfax) - Police have blocked the central avenue in Yerevan to bar protestors against electricity price hikes from the presidential residence.
Several police cordons have blocked the marcher's way to Bagramian Avenue. Policemen are wearing helmets and have shields and truncheons.
Water cannons have been deployed.
The Yerevan Police Department's deputy chief Col. Valery Osipian, who is at the scene, told the press that policemen "will do all they can to maintain order and to bring offenders to account."
"The demonstrators' actions are illegal. Police will not allow them to move further. We will try to explain this to them and to persuade them to return to Freedom Square. We do not want clashes to erupt," Osipian said.
The demonstration has brought together about 4,000 participants, according to different sources.