POLICE broke up a sit-in yesterday in the Armenian capital Yerevan by people protesting against electricity price rises, making more than 200 arrests.

The demonstration began on Monday, when about 5,000 people marched to the presidential offices to oppose plans to raise electricity tariffs by 17 to 22 per cent.

When the demonstrators found their way barred by ranks of riot police, they sat down in the road, blocking traffic and defying police orders to leave.

They refused government offers to have representatives present their demands to President Serge Sarkisian and called on him to attend the demonstration.

Most protesters left by the evening, but several hundred remained overnight.

Early yesterday, police moved to disperse the sit-in, using water cannon and batons when protesters threw stones.

Police spokesman Ashot Agaronian said that 237 demonstrators had been detained, adding that seven protesters and 11 police officers had been injured.