The Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of Armenia unanimously voted on June 17 to raise energy tariffs in the country. During a parliamentary hearing last week, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Member of Parliament Artsvik Minasyan called for an independent audit of the Electricity Networks of Armenia’s (ENA) finances to address any possible infractions in expenditure, and to propose a comprehensive overview of the energy body.

Some activists were arrested after scuffling with police, but were released soon after (Photo: Photolur)
Speaking to journalists after the PSRC’s decision, Minasyan said that the ARF will soon introduce a draft law about the issue in Parliament, calling for an audit and requesting a freeze on energy tariffs for five years. Minasyan also urged other political parties to push forward legislative initiatives to suspend the process of price increases.
Activists, most of them members of the Armenian Youth Federation, protested outside the PSRC offices in downtown
Yerevan, on June 17. Some activists were arrested after scuffling with police, but were released soon after.
An in-depth report to follow.
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