Ashot Aghababian, MP from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia and owner of the shopping center “Hrazdan”, claims that journalists and the opposition are responsible of instigating merchants to come out and protest.
Over the past several days, representatives of small and medium business are holding protests in Yerevan with hundreds of people. The protesters are dissatisfied with the amendments to the law on turnover tax, which are to be enacted on October 1. The merchants claim that if the law becomes effective, the country would face a large-scale increase in commodity prices.
On September 29 meeting with journalists Ashot Aghababian stated that the discontent of the people was heard by the authorities, and the appropriate steps are being taken to solve the problem. At the same time, Ashot Aghababian accused journalists saying that they are to blame for the protests.
“Why do you upset people ahead of time, forcing them to take the streets?” the MP appealed to journalists. “That is to say you, journalists, are so smart and supportive of people, while we are against them all?” (quoted from a material by News.am).
