13:43, 25 May 2021

Opponents of Namakhvan HPP unblock Tbilisi avenue

Protest action in Tbilisi against the construction of the Namakhvan hydroelectric power plant, May 24, 2021. Screenshot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MPPe6Fn2V0

In Tbilisi, protesters against the construction of the Namakhvan hydroelectric power plant (HPP) have unblocked Rustaveli Avenue and threatened the authorities with large-scale actions if their demands were not met.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 23, opponents of the construction of the Namakhvan HPP put forward an ultimatum to Georgian authorities, threatening to paralyze Tbilisi if their demands were not met. In the evening on May 24, protesters blocked Rustaveli Avenue, stating they would not unblock it until May 26.

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.

However, protesters have unblocked Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi and returned to their tent camp in the square, the "Rustavi-2" TV Channel has reported on its website today.

Varlam Goletiani, one of the leaders of the opponents of the construction of the Namakhvan HPP, said that protesters had scheduled a large-scale action for May 25. "On [May 25] we'll show a much greater strength; we'll march and block important places. <...> This process will continue until the demands of the Georgian people are met," the Georgian TV Channel One quoted him as stating in the evening on May 24.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 25, 2021 at 08:15 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.