20 May 2021, 23:54
Opponents of Namakhvani HPP to hold protests in Tbilisi
The activists opposing the construction of the Namakhvani hydroelectric power plant (HPP) decided to hold a large-scale protest action in the centre of Tbilisi on May 23, organizers report.
The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that the activists opposing the Namakhvani HPP hold meetings with residents of the regions of Georgia in order to persuade them to take part in the protest action.
Residents of the Namakhvani village fear that they will have to relocate, since the opening of the Namakhvani HPP will result in the flooding of 500 hectares of land, including forests, arable land plots, and several villages. The villagers of Namakhvani believe that the opening of the HPP will lead to climate change and, as a consequence, crop failures and hunger.
On April 4, protesters set up tents near the village of Gumati. The police dismantled the tents and explained that the Rioni River was overflowing its banks. On April 12, the police set up a cordon to prevent the protesters from marching. Seven protesters were detained after clashes between the police and the opponents of the Namakhvani HPP construction.
On May 13, opponents of the construction of the HPP set up their tents again. The protestors announce their intention to control all entrances to the Rioni River Gorge.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 20, 2021 at 11:49 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
