15:02, 14 April 2021

Setting barriers triggers protest of opponents of Namakhvan HPP construction

Clashes between protesters against the construction of the hydroelectric power plant near the village of Namakhvani and policemen. Screenshot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2R0q7R-u_s

Opponents of the construction of the Namakhvani hydroelectric power plant (HPP) have gathered for a protest action on the road to the village of Namakhvani, where law enforcers had installed metal barriers to prevent them from marching further. Six people were detained at night after opponents' clashes with policemen, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has informed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 4, opponents of the construction of the Namakhvan HPP on the Rioni River set up tents near the village of Gumati and announced a large-scale action in Tbilisi. Law enforcers dismantled the tents, explaining that the Rioni River is overflowing its banks. On April 12, the police set up a cordon and did not allow protesters approaching the village of Namakhvani.

Protests against the construction of the Namakhvan HPP continue for almost six months. On March 29, the Prime Minister of Georgia announced that the construction of the Namakhvan HPP would be suspended for 9-12 months in order to thoroughly check its impact on the environment. However, on April 4, the preparatory works for the construction of the Namakhvan cascade of hydroelectric power plants were resumed despite Georgian authorities' promises.

Today in the morning, law enforcers set up iron barriers on the road to Namakhvani, blocking it, which resulted in a new protest action in the village of Gumati, the Georgian TV Channel One reports on its website.

By installing the barriers, law enforcers have blocked activists' march from Gumati to Namakhvani, the "Sputnik Georgia" news agency has informed today, adding that as a sign of protest, activists beat their fists on the iron barriers.

According to the news agency, last night, opponents of the construction of the Namakhvan HPP blocked the road leading to one of the offices of the ENKA Company. During the protest action, clashes broke out, after which six persons were detained.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 14, 2021 at 11:14 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.