Protest against Namakhvani HPP continues in Rioni Gorge
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Monday, May 31
In the Rioni gorge, near the village of Gumati, people against the construction of Namakhvani HPP gathered and tried to go beyond the barricades.
The protesters were trying to push the police to move beyond the barricades. The organizers of the protest were calling on the protesters to not confront the police. One of the leaders of the movement Varlam Goletiani said that people have the right to cross the barricades.
Over the past few days, the activists have blocked the road to Rioni Gorge in three different spots, stopping Enka’s equipment from passing through. The movement on the road is free for public transport and citizens.
Goletinai said that every road which can be used by Enka to get to Namakhvani HPP is closed by activists, who have also opened tents in different villages.
On May 27, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has published a statement saying that they have launched an investigation into the damage to the barricades in Gumati. According to them, the investigation was launched under Article 187 of the Criminal Code which stipulates damage or destruction of someone else's property.
Late at night on May 26, the activists arrived in Gumati and blocked the entrance to the valley for Enka vehicles. Police were also mobilized near Gumati throughout the night. Opponents of Namakhvani HPP returned to Gumati after four days of rallies in Tbilisi.
The activists protesting the construction of Namakhvani HPP had a massive rally in Tbilisi on May 23. Thousands of people from all around Georgia came to Tbilisi to protest the construction of the HPP cascade in Namakhvani. The activists who have gathered in Tbilisi talked about the dialogues that they had with the government and said that they had no other choice but to take drastic measures.
The protesters believe that the construction of Namakhvani HPP is not safe and that there have not been enough studies done by the company that could ensure the safe construction of the HPP.
On the other hand, the representatives of the company, as well as the leaders of the country are saying that all necessary studies have been done and the construction of Namakhvani HPP is a step towards Georgia’s energy independence.
