Russia Worried About Protests In Armenia, Here’s Why
Are the protests in Armenia simply about an electricity price hike, or are they the start of a new Ukraine-style revolution. The Kremlin doesn’t appear to be quite sure, and Ukrainian commentators are urging the protesters in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, to take the demonstrations to the next level.
Nevertheless, protesters insist it’s just about the country’s Russian-owned electricity monopoly, Electric Networks of Armenia, and its plan to raise rates by 17 to 22 percent. The Guardian reports that the price hike incited thousands into taking to the streets, marching on the presidential palace and staging all-night sit-ins to try and reverse the June 17th decision.
The government reacted harshly.
Officers turned on heavy water cannons to disperse the crowds. Journalists complained about their cameras being broken or confiscated. Journalist Nikolai Torosyan said that police knocked him to the ground and kicked him. He insists the excessive force is inspiring more people on the streets.
“A lot more people came on [Tuesday] because they understood that you can’t just drive people out like that.”
Police detained roughly 237 people, and 11 officers were injured.
The protesters could be seen trying to fight back with kindness.
So this is how Armenians do it #ElectricYerevan pic.twitter.com/qBkAvTgEFV
— Richard Giragosian (@Richard_RSC) June 24, 2015
Boy offers water to policemen during protests in #Yerevan #Armenia #ElectricYerevan photo by Lilian Galstyan pic.twitter.com/PFjPBXl87C
— Samvel Martirosyan (@Kornelij) June 24, 2015
Still, it’s the protests’ similarity to the beginning of the Ukraine revolution that is grabbing the headlines — and Russia’s attention.
During that event demonstrators removed Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych from power, an event now called the “Euromaidan.” The revolution prompted Vladimir Putin to start an aggressive campaign against the country, seizing Crimea and arming an insurgency in the East of the country.
The Kremlin does not want to see that happen again.
Putin’s press secretary, Dmitri Peskov, talked about the Armenian protests on Tuesday.
“Armenia is our closest partner, we are united by historical ties with Armenia and the Armenian people. Of course we are watching what’s going on there very closely.”
Commentator Musa Mikaelyan explained that the press statement was proof the Kremlin is worried.
“The very fact that that the Russian presidential press secretary commented on the events in Yerevan is evidence that either Russia is taking part in the events unfolding in Yerevan, or it is very worried and trying to take part, or is expressing readiness to participate if events get out of control.”
Igor Morozov, a Russian parliamentarian in the foreign affairs committee, even called the events in Armenia “exactly the same” as what happened in Ukraine.
Morozov’s comments might be an exaggeration, but Russia, and even Vladimir Putin himself, is directly linked to the protests.
The Armenia utility monopoly, Electric Networks of Armenia, is fully owned by the Russian company Inter RAO. Inter RAO is owned by Igor Sechin, described by Forbes as Putin’s “left-hand man.”
The company gave some reasons for why the rate hike is necessary — hydro-plants producing less electricity and problems with the construction of a nuclear powerplant — but the government initially resisted the price increase, complaining that the real reason was graft. The government eventually gave in, but the protesters still believe corruption, Russian corruption, is at the heart of the problem.
As BloombergView explained, that makes the protests “by default, anti-Moscow, if not anti-Russia.”
Plus, some of the people were waving EU flags during the protests, likely heightening fears in Moscow.
For their part, Ukraine’s most popular news sites are covering the protests in Yerevan as a new “Maidan,” referring to their own revolution.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, an ethnic Armenian, wrote a brief letter of support to Armenia on Facebook.
“My dear Armenia, there was a day when we were beaten up and dispersed, and our barricades were cleared from Krepostnoy Lane in Kiev. It seemed our hopes had been trampled.”
Despite the widespread speculation about Armenia’s protests, it is still highly unlikely that the country will suddenly blow up into revolution, but then again Ukraine’s saga was also unexpected.
[Image Credit: Getty Images]
