Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Scores have protested near Yerevan mayor's office for several days demanding resignation of Mayor Taron Margaryan and some other officials.

The mayor's office building was guarded by police. In order to drive the protesters away from the building, the area was watered from time to time, depriving the protesters of the opportunity to lie on the grass.

The activists issued a statement to Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan saying that unless constant watering of the lawn was terminated and if the protesters were not granted the right to freely express their demands, they would have to sit directly on the street, blocking traffic.

The protest has been held since July 20 against the rise in the public transport fare, which caused a wave of discontent in Armenia.

Since July 20 Yerevan residents pay 150 drams in fare on buses and microbuses instead of the previous 100 drams according to the executive authorities' decision (1 USD= 414 drams)

Margaryan made a statement on July 25 announcing the suspension of the decision to increase public transport fees. However, the disgruntled people continued to protest.

The burden of the price hike in public transport cannot be imposed on social groups including pensioners, students and the needy segments of the population, the statement said.

"I have ordered to set up a special commission which will be able to work out a comprehensive decision 'On revision of payments for intercity passenger traffic' within several months. And I suspend the decision (on the increase of transport fares) until then," the mayor said.

Furthermore, Margaryan issued instructions to expedite the creation of the commission on transport fees, as well as to involve all stakeholders in the work of the commission, which is being created for the purpose of holding discussions on revision of the public transport fare.