Tension climbs as Namakhvani protesters try to push through metal barricades in Gumati

22:35, 27.05.2021

The situation has become tense in the village of Gumati as opponents of Namakhvani HPP construction are trying to push through metal barricades erected by the police earlier this week.

The police have detained two persons during the clashes, said Madona Basiladze, Head of the Western Georgia Division of the Public Defender’s Office.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) calls on the protesters to obey the lawful demands of the police.

Law enforcers erected an iron wall in the Rioni River Gorge in western Georgia, in Gumati village on Wednesday following the anti-Namakhvani HPP protesters’ decision to relocate back to the village.

MIA said metal barricades have been set up for security reasons.

For the record, the protests against the HPP construction have been underway in western Georgia for almost six months. The Georgian government suspended the HPP construction for 9 to 12 months until the environmental, geological, and seismological surveys are reviewed. Nevertheless, local protesters plan to continue rallies. They believe the HPP would be constructed anyway, which they oppose.

By - Marika Kartozia

Regions

Anti-Namakhvani protesters

Clash in Gumati