Protesters block Gyumri-Yerevan highway

Residents of Agharakavan and several neighboring villages in Armenia’s Talin community blocked the Gyumri-Yerevan highway on Tuesday in protest against the closure of a vital local road.

The demonstrators are demanding that the Ministry of Territorial Administration and the Road Department Foundation reverse a decision to shut down a well-maintained road that connects their villages to the main highway. The closure is part of ongoing construction under the North-South Road Corridor Project.

According to the protesters, the road is essential for daily transportation and its closure forces traffic onto a longer route including a one-kilometer stretch and a hazardous intersection.

"Just a few days ago, an ambulance got lost trying to reach the village," one protester said. "There is no obstacle here, why are they shutting down a perfectly functioning road?"

The Talin mayor met with the protesters at the site, but residents vowed to continue protests until the road is reopened.

“There is no other option – the road must be reopened,” the protesters insisted.