Activists tell about threats after protests in Pankisi Gorge

Law enforcers are holding "talks" with opponents to the construction of hydroelectric power plants (HEPPs) in the vicinity of the Pankisi Gorge and convince them not to protest, local residents inform.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 20, 2018, residents of the village of Duisi located in the Pankisi Gorge held a protest action against the construction of HEPPs in the gorge. Local residents believe the construction of new HPPs in the Pankisi Gorge will pose a threat to the environment, agriculture, and tourism.

The activists, who oppose the construction, are periodically summoned to Telavi, into the regional police, where they are interviewed, residents of the Pankisi Gorge told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on January 31.

Tamta Mikeladze, the head of the NGO "Centre for Human Rights Training and Monitoring", told on air of the "Rustavi 2" Georgian TV Company that a number of residents of the gorge had complained about the pressure exerted on them.

"Several young activists have reported threats ... and promises to face problems. The Pankisi elders are being persuaded that the HEPPs will be built anyway," Ms Mikeladze has explained. According to her story, in this case, the police are defending not the interests of the state, but "the interests of specific financial groups." Her TV interview was translated into Russian by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 1, 2019 at 04:31 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.