How much meat was seized from the butchers, and how much loss did they incur?
Tensions have been high at the “Gum” market in Yerevan since early morning. Representatives of the State Food Safety Service (SFSS) arrived at the market to monitor the butchers’ activities. They seized the butchers’ meat. Amd they stated that the sales were being conducted in violation of regulations.
There were clashes between the butchers and the police. 8 people were arrested from the market area. Red beret police were also deployed. During a confrontation between SFSS employees and the gathered citizens, one person poured gasoline on themselves and attempted self-immolation, but it was prevented by the police.
According to the SFSS, about 1 ton of meat was seized from the “Gumi” market, which will be destroyed by incineration.
The average price of meat in Armenia, according to several supermarkets and shops, ranges from 3,000 to 3,500 dram. The seized meat is worth approximately 3 to 3.5 million dram. Citizens are complaining about where their meat is being taken and burned.
Butchers from the Vedi community agree to operate legally but demand that a slaughterhouse be built in their community to avoid such issues.