Protesters against Namakhvan HPP block avenue in Tbilisi

Opponents of the construction of the Namakhvan hydroelectric power plant (HPP) on the Rioni River have blocked Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi until May 26 and threatened more large-scale protests if their demands were not met.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on May 23, residents of the regions of Georgia joined the rally against the construction of the Namakhvani HPP, organized in Tbilisi by the movement “Defenders of the Rioni River 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.

In the evening on May 24, opponents of the construction of the Namakhvan HPP marched from Republic Square to the House of Justice on the Embankment; then they proceeded to Freedom Square and returned to the tent camp in Republic Square. They again blocked Rustaveli Avenue, this time until May 26, promising that if their demands were not met by that date, they will increase the scale of protests.

According to Varlam Goletiani, one of the leaders of the "Defenders of the Rioni Gorge" movement, on May 26 they will hold a parade dedicated to the independence of Georgia there, where opponents of the construction of the HPP are standing.

"We see that the government wouldn't report to us, even though the protest is justified. [...] We have the right to block the Tbilisi main artery until our just demands are met," Mr Goletiani has stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 25, 2021 at 02:54 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.