Led by "Defenders of Rioni Valley", thousands of citizens presented their demands to the government and gave time until the noon of May 24. If the demands are not met, they promised that the scale of the demonstration would increase and, consequently, they would paralyze entire Tbilisi, so no one would be able to move. At the moment, the protesters are still on the ground, setting up tents yesterday and spending the night in the square.
Rioni Valley Defenders demand that “Enka” Company leave Rioni Gorge, terminate its contract with the company and cancel all existing paperwork starting from 2015.
“Enka” Company responded to the protest. The company is ready to continue discussions with all interested parties.
It should be reminded that in October 2020, the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Rioni River flowing through Western Georgia in Namakhvani began, which is opposed by environmentalists and local residents, as well as civil society representatives. Namakhvani HPP, according to the Georgian government, should be the largest energy project in independent Georgia. The investment cost of the project is $ 800 million, it should be implemented by Turkish "Enka Riniebels Ltd" Company.
Photo by Publica Media
May 24, 2021 at 15:38