Protests against electricity price hikes may continue in Yerevan
YEREVAN. June 23 (Interfax) - Protests against the Armenian authorities' decision to raise electricity prices may continue in the capital Yerevan on Tuesday evening.
Acting through the Facebook social networking website, activists of the 'No to Robbery' civil movement, which initiated large-scale protests against electricity price hikes on June 19, announced a new event and called on citizens to join them at 6:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
"We call on all forces and people who want to free their brothers and sisters, secure a cut in electricity prices, bring those behind this illegality to justice and reform the energy sector to join our campaign at 6:00 p.m. today," the action group said in its statement.
Around 4,000 people have already joined the event on Facebook.
According to earlier reports, Armenian police forces detained 237 people as they broke up a protest against increases in electricity prices in the center of Yerevan. According to police reports, seven demonstrators and 11 police officers were injured in clashes. Armenia's Health Ministry has reported that 25 people sought medical care after the events.
A criminal investigation has been opened against those detained on counts of hooliganism.