Armenians protest new restrictions by blocking road with trucks

Armenian citizens on trucks blocked the Stepanavan-Vanadzor road.

They claimed that the wheat was left in the field because their vehicles were refused to refuel due to a lack of a certificate for inspecting gas cylinders, the Armenian service of Radio Liberty reports.

According to the law, from today in Armenia, gas cylinders installed on cars will not be refuelled if they are not installed or certified by a licensed organisation. Restrictions on the dates of production of gas cylinders have also been introduced.

Drivers complain about long queues at the points of obtaining permits.

A little later, the protesters learned that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan would drive along the road blocked by them and agreed to unblock the highway, provided that the latter would hold a meeting with them and solve the problem.

Pashinyan called Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Minister Gnel Sanosyan on the spot and instructed him to allow the inspection of expired gas cylinders if they are serviceable. He promised to take measures to increase the number of licensing points and create an opportunity to book a queue on an online platform.

It is reported that Pashinyan was surprised that there is still no such possibility, and drivers have to stand in queues for a long time.