Government ready to meet all parties interested in Namakhvani HPP project as the protests hit 168th day

Minister of Economy of Georgia Ekaterine Turnava stated earlier today that she is ready to meet “all interested” in Namakvhvani hydroelectric plant project. Today, the long-standing protest against the construction of the Namakvani HPP by Turkish company ENKA has reached the 168th consequent day.

Minister Turnava stated that a large-scale meeting will soon be held with the representatives of NGOs, scientists, and all the parties interested in the building of Namakhvani HPP. Meanwhile, the tensions in Rioni Valley, where the protests are held were high today, as the police dismantled the protestors’ tents yesterday, amidst the “fears of the possible flooding”, after one man drowned. Earlier today, the protesters urged the residents of Rioni to join them in a protest action at the central square of Kutaisi and beep the horns to draw attention to the protest. The police have already been mobilized on the spot where the protestors are expected to arrive. Some clashes between the police and the protesters have been reported today, as the former did not permit people from Gumati to enter Namakhvani, which led to a confrontation between the gathered crowd and the staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated earlier today, that it will not permit the violent scenario to unfold, and, thus, will treat all violations of law with all seriousness:

“We urge the citizens of the Rioni Valley not to go beyond the means of freedom of expression permitted by the country’s law and obey the orders of the law enforcement officers”, Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said in its statement.

Georgia’s Prosecutor General, Nino Lomjaria, has also issued her statement regarding the situation in Rioni Valley and urged the government to deescalate the situation via the direct dialogue with the protesters:

“Four days ago, I met protesters in the Rioni Valley, who had very specific and legitimate questions to the government, who are seeking dialogue and advocating for peaceful protests only…. The government should be responding to the ongoing protests not via police action, but with dialogue and direct communication”, Lomjaria added.

Georgia’s Public Defender also called for the government authorities to schedule a meeting with the protestors as soon as possible, hold a series of transparent and result-oriented discussions with the interested parties until all questions and uncertainties are addressed successfully, have the police immediately ensure the people’s right to freedom of movement and freedom of assembly, and ensure the readiness of all interested partied to participate in media discission and debates to keep the general public informed on the matter.