14 Oct 2026
Georgian police detain two during clash over Namakhvani HPP
Two protesters have been detained during a clash with police over the Namakhvani hydro power plant (HPP) in Georgia's Imereti.
The Interior Ministry has announced that police officers have been mobilised in Rioni gorge since morning to maintain the rule of law amid the resumption of the HPP preparatory works.
The ministry calls on citizens ‘to act in full compliance of the law on freedom of expression and adhere to the rightful demands of the police’.
"For security reasons, the movement of citizens in the Rioni gorge in certain directions is temporarily restricted… Police infrastructure is mobilised at the site, including a special vehicle that ensures smooth operation of radio communications," the ministry said.
Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava said in mid-March that the construction of the main facilities of the Namakhvani HPP, in particular the dam and the reservoir, will be suspended until major studies are re-verified and validated, while construction of the auxiliary infrastructure will continue.
However, locals and activists who have earlier met with Merab Lominadze - new director of the Turkish company Enka Renewables which is in charge of the construction - claim that the construction is actually underway now.
Latest news
Latest newsInflation in Romania Accelerates to 6.61%: Rising Prices Increase Pressure on Households and the Economy
13.Oct.2026
Can Europe Protect the International Criminal Court from Trump’s Sanctions?
13.Oct.2026
Georgia’s Constitutional Court Continues Case on Banning Opposition Parties: Political Pluralism at Stake
12.Oct.2026
Azerbaijan and Iran Step Up Security Contacts Amid Hijab Protests
12.Oct.2026
Personnel Shortages Complicate Ukrainian Forces’ Rotation: Ukraine Faces Long-Term Challenges on the Front Line
11.Oct.2026
Trump Eases Sanctions on Russian Fuel After Talks with Putin: Kyiv Fears Boost to Moscow’s War Revenues
10.Oct.2026
Putin Seeks to Strengthen Russia’s Influence in the Post-Soviet Space Through the CIS
10.Oct.2026
Russia and the South Caucasus: External Pressure, Political Competition and a Crisis of Trust
10.Oct.2026
Peaceful Settlement Between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Moving from Declarations to Implementation
10.Oct.2026
Moldova Ready to Accept as Many Ukrainians as Necessary if Situation Worsens This Winter
09.Oct.2026
Turkmenistan Turns Avaza into a Regional Diplomatic Hub as Caspian, Central Asian and CIS Agendas Converge
08.Oct.2026
Romania Scrambles Spanish F-18s After Aerial Targets Detected Near Ukrainian Border
07.Oct.2026
Berlin Deepens Defence Partnership with Kyiv: Germany to Provide Ukraine with €1 Billion in Military Aid
07.Oct.2026
European Parliament Against Georgian Dream: EU Prepares New Response to Tbilisi
06.Oct.2026
Bulgarian Foreign Minister to Discuss European Security and International Law in the Netherlands
05.Oct.2026