Protests against HPPs in Pankisi end in detentions

Fifteen protesters against the construction of a chain of hydraulic power plants (HPPs) in the Pankisi Gorge were detained. After the intervention of the head of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), they were all released, said Ramazan Bakagashvili, a deputy from the community of Duisi at the sacrebulo (municipal council) of the Akhmeta District.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that several hundred residents of the Pankisi Gorge gathered for a spontaneous rally in the village of Birkiani of the Akhmeta District of Georgia to prevent the launch of the construction of the "Khadori-3" mini-HPP, scheduled for April 21. Law enforcers used tear gas and rubber bullets against them. According to the MIA, the protesters set fire to construction equipment and police cars. During the clashes, 15 policemen and 12 local residents received traumas.

During the protest, 15 people were detained, but they are already back at large Mr Bakagashvili has reported.

According to his story, the negotiations of residents of the Pankisi Gorge with regional authorities and officials of the Georgian government have already reached the main compromise. "The authorities have stated that if 90 percent of residents of the surrounding villages are against the construction, the works will be stopped," he said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 21, 2019 at 06:26 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.