10:54, 24 May 2021

Opponents of Namakhvan HPP set up tents in central Tbilisi

Protestors in Tbilisi. Photo by Beslan Kmuzov for the Caucasian Knot

Some protesters against the construction of the Namakhvan hydroelectric power plant (HPP) spent the night in Republic Square in Tbilisi, waiting for the government's response to their ultimatum.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that residents of some Georgian regions joined the rally against the construction of the Namakhvan HPP, organized in Tbilisi by the movement "Defenders of the Rioni Gorge". The protesters demanded to cancel the contract with the ENKA Company, the construction permit and a government's resolution to transfer the ownership right to the state property to the company, as well as the resignation of the Minister of Economy; they gave 24 hours to authorities to fulfil their demands.

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.

In the evening on May 23, protesters against the construction of the Namakhvan HPP set up tents in Republic Square in central Tbilisi. "Many people from different regions are joining the action; many people have arrived. They will stay and spend the night here. How long it will last depend on how the authorities fulfil the (protesters') demands," the "News-Georgia" has quoted Saba Kvantrishvili, a protester, as saying.

The Turkish ENKA Company has announced that it is ready for a dialogue with opponents of the construction of the Namakhvan HPP.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 23, 2021 at 08:45 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.