Protests Against the Construction of the Namakhvani Hydroelectric Power Plant by a Turkish Company in Georgia

In Georgia, sprinkler trucks and additional police units have been deployed near the Rioni Gorge in the Imereti region, where a protest against the construction of the Namakhvani Hydroelectric Power Plant has been taking place since the morning. This was reported by the TASS agency, citing the Georgian Imedi TV channel.

“Our presence here is necessary to avoid provocations from citizens,” said a representative of the local police addressing the protesters.

Demonstrators believe that the hydroelectric plant should not be built, as it will cause irreversible damage to the Rioni Gorge and harm the environment. They also argue that the government has transferred ownership of the entire gorge to the Turkish company, while the authorities state that only a specific area has been transferred to the investor, and that too for temporary use.

The protesters announced that the police have blocked access to the construction site of the hydroelectric power plant. They are calling on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to allow them to move freely and are threatening to set up tents.

Protests against the construction of the Namakhvani Hydroelectric Power Plant have been ongoing in Georgia for more than five months. Recently, there have been no protests as the government decided to halt the construction of a 100-meter dam for 9-12 months, pending further scientific studies.

The construction of the Namakhvani Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Rioni River has been periodically delayed since 2009. Construction began in the summer of 2020, with the Turkish ENKA company carrying out the works.