In Sochi, two activists of TPS "Kudepsta" detained during citizens' gathering

On August 14, at 9:00 p.m. Moscow time, in Sochi, during the gathering of citizens, protesting against the construction of a thermal power plant (TPP), Anatoly Makhnovsky, Chairman of the territorial public self-administration (TPS) "Kudepsta", and Pavel Chesnokov, a member of the TPS, were detained. The activists were brought to the unit on duty to complete a protocol on holding an unsanctioned action. This was reported by Colonel Valery Medvedev, Chief of the Police of the Adler District.

The confrontation between the builders and the residents of the village of Kudepsta has been going on for two months already. Starting from mid-May, people established a tent camp in that place, organized night duties and did not let the construction vehicles to the construction site. Attempts to persuade the residents of the village of the need for construction of the TPP have not succeeded. The residents claim that the location of the TPP was not agreed with the public.

According to Anatoly Makhnovsky, Chairman of the TPS "Kudepsta", the builders of the TPP on the left bank of the Kudepsta River began to cut down trees without a permit, to take away fertile soil and destroy the resort area.

At 7:00 p.m. Moscow time, an emergency gathering of citizens of the TPS "Kudepsta" was assembled, which was attended by about 200 persons. Till the arrival of the police, the participants of the protest action did not allow the developers to pass on the territory of the construction site. At about 9:00 p.m., the place of citizens' gathering was approached by Colonel Valery Medvedev, Chief of the Police of the Adler District. According to the participants of the gathering, he gave the order to detain Anatoly Makhnovsky, Chairman of the TPS "Kudepsta", and Pavel Chesnokov, the member of the TPS, for organizing an unsanctioned rally.

Meanwhile, Colonel Valery Medvedev himself has reported that he did not detain the activists and asked them to go to the unit on duty in Kirpichnaya Street to complete a protocol and get clarification on holding the unsanctioned rally.