Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan’s father, Armen Avinyan, has come under fire for controversial comments about the cost of “red lines” parking fees in the city. The current annual fee, set at 160,000 drams, was deemed excessive by many residents following a recent court ruling declaring the increase unfounded. However, Armen Avinyan suggested raising the fee even further to 500,000 drams.
In a survey conducted by Oragir.News, residents and drivers expressed their views on the fees, which remain unchanged despite the court’s decision. When asked about the matter, Armen Avinyan remarked:
“They should set it at 500,000 so that bus drivers don’t just come in and stop here. Every driver has his fancy Opel. Go to Italy—you’ll see people have to pay the price of a car just to enter the city center.”
When questioned whether he personally paid the fees, Armen Avinyan responded: “Mine is free, it’s electric.”
Mayor Tigran Avinyan later addressed the backlash surrounding his father’s remarks, stating:
“My father was quite rude and ugly, and I am sure these answers were given under the influence of a blocked nerve. I deeply regret and apologize for his words.”
Meanwhile, Yerevan’s municipal council recently voted on December 24 to maintain the increased parking fees for 2025, ignoring the recent court ruling that declared the hikes invalid. The price increase, introduced by Mayor Tigran Avinyan in January, raised annual on-street parking fees in the Kentron district from 12,000 drams to 160,000 drams ($400) and hourly rates from 100 drams to 300 drams in Kentron and 200 drams elsewhere.
The stated goal of the fee hike was to reduce traffic congestion in central Yerevan. However, opposition groups, including the Mayr Hayastan bloc, dismissed this explanation. While the court ruled the hikes unfounded, it declined to mandate refunds for motorists.
Deputy Mayor Suren Grigoryan defended the council’s decision, claiming the ruling is not yet legally binding and announcing plans to appeal. He argued that the increased fees have positively impacted traffic flow, a claim disputed by opposition leaders who pointed to persistent congestion.
The decision was passed despite the council lacking a clear majority. It relied on the support of Grigor Harutyunyan, a nominally independent council member with ties to the Hanrapetutyun party, Civil Contract’s local coalition partner. Harutyunyan’s previous affiliation with a party led by controversial video blogger Vartan Ghukasyan has drawn further criticism, particularly since that party played a key role in securing Tigran Avinyan’s election as mayor in October 2023.
