Protester: Do not dictate us, Mr Osipyan!
Before dismantling the barricade made of dumpsters which citizens protesting rising electricity prices have used for nearly two weeks to block Baghramyan Avenue in Yerevan, Chief of the yerevan Police Valeri Osipyan came up to activists and urged them ‘to clean the avenue together and restore the beautiful view of the avenue.’ “We have an opportunity to show the entire world what kind of nation we are. Return to Liberty Square and continue your protest there,” Osipyan said. “Mr Ospiyan, do not dictate us,” one of the protesters shouted in reply. Hunan Poghosyan, First Deputy Chief of the Armenian Police, urged the group to unblock the avenue. “This is abnormal, your denial will lead to nowhere,” he said. In the meantime, part of the protesters formed a human wall in the avenue and urged citizens to join their struggle. More police forces are arriving in the avenue. David Sanasaryan, one of the coordinators of the protest, they viewed the police actions as a provocation and stressed that the authorities bear the responsibility for the consequences of the decision.
