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Beginning of HPP Construction in Pankisi Causes Clashes between Locals and Police

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BM.GE
22.04.19 21:59
807
The Construction of Hydro Power Plant (HPP) “Khadori 3” started in Pankisi Gorge on April 21. Local civilians protested against the construction from early morning and the protests turned into clashes between the local community representatives and policemen.

Special ops also arrived on the scene. After protesters started throwing stones to the law enforecement authorities, special ops have used tear gas as well.
Protesters have also set fire to the machinery of investor company. 55 people, including 38 policemen and 17 civilians were injured as a result of these clashes.
Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia arrived where the clashes were taking place in order to deescalate the situation. He promised the local community representatives to listen to their demands.

Vice PM and the Minister of Infrastructure, Maia Tskishvili and the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Levan Davitashvili also arrived in Pankisi.
Several Civil Society Organizations were blaming Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Economy as well for not using all the tools for negotiation. Tamta Mikeladze from Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) has stated that these actions serve as the interests of Natia Turnava, new Minister of Economy.
Ministry of Economy later made the official statement explaining that they were asked by the investor company “Alazani Energy” LLC to ensure that the construction of the company starts in a peaceful and safe manner. The letter was sent on April 19 and the Ministry of Economy immediately warned the Ministry of Internal Affairs to get involved in this process.

The statement also emphasizes that the construction started in accordance with all the legal procedures. Moreover, the statement reads that the investor company knows very well the peculiarities of the region and that it is one of the largest employers here.

According to the Ministry of Economy, the investor company is planning to establish the development fund for local community, in which it will donate 120 000 GEL every year. Projects that will be funded from this fund will be chosen by local authorities from the community.

Ministry also suggested that as part of this communication, the investor company agreed to construct HPP without the dam, as requested by local community.
The Executive Director of LTD “Peri” [Founder company of “Alazani Energy”], Lasha Iordanashvili has also made the statement regarding these protests and blamed civil society organizations for what happened in Pankisi Gorge.

“When we started the construction of HPP in the beginning of 2018 nobody had the protest from local community, until the civil society organizations showed up, which always protest the construction of HPPs. They started to misguide local civilians and they caused this serious protest”, stated Iordanashvili.

After the meeting with local community, Minister Gakharia stated that the HPP construction will not continue if the 90% of local population won’t be in favour of such decision.

The construction of “Khadori 3” HPP should end in 12 months. Its total capacity amounts to 5,4 megawatts and its annual turnover should be 27,5 million kilowatts.