Georgian journalist Mtivlishvili reported an attack

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Journalist Gela Mtivlishvili stated that he was attacked by a hydroelectric power station construction lobbyist and suffered facial injuries. A representative of the Association of Small and Medium Hydroelectric Power Stations, Giorgi Margebadze, confirmed that he was simply defending himself.

As reported by Caucasian Knot, at the end of January 2024, a court fined journalist Gela Mtivlishvili after finding him guilty of disobeying a police officer at a protest in Tbilisi. Mtivlishvili maintained his innocence.

Journalist Gela Mtivlishvili claimed he was attacked and injured, Interpressnews reported on May 10.

Mtivlishvili wrote about the attack on social media. He stated that the incident occurred immediately after a broadcast he was participating in, which was dedicated to the construction of a hydroelectric power station. A citizen lobbying for the construction approached him, and Mtivlishvili stated that he was a member of the Georgian Dream party. As a result of the attack, the journalist sustained facial injuries.

It was revealed that the attacker was Giorgi Margebadze, head of the Association of Small and Medium-Sized Hydroelectric Power Stations. He admitted to the attack. According to him, the broadcast ended, and Mtivlishvili provoked him, insulted him, and attempted to attack him with his fists. "I beat you to it," Margebadze wrote in response to the accusation on social media, according to Georgia Online.

Regarding the construction of the hydroelectric power plant, Margebadze stated that the country needs more hydroelectric power plants "for success."

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation into the incident.

As a reminder, Georgian residents have repeatedly protested against the construction of hydroelectric power plants. Last April, a protest against the construction of a small hydroelectric power plant on the Sulori River took place in the Vani district. Participants stated that the plant's construction would lead to environmental problems and that they would be forced to leave the village.

In December 2023, residents of the villages of Goristsikhe and Sioni in the Kazbegi municipality protested against the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Terek River. That same month, local residents protested against the construction of a hydroelectric power station on the Bzhuz River in western Georgia. They claim that authorities failed to discuss the project with them, which will cause irreparable harm to the environment.

Since late 2020, protests have been taking place against the construction of the Namakhvani hydroelectric power station. Participants put forward four main demands: cancellation of the contract with the Turkish company Enka, repeal of the government decree transferring ownership of state-owned property to the company, revocation of the construction permit, and the resignation of the Minister of Economy. The parties agreed to withdraw police from the Rioni River gorge. Following an agreement with the protesters, the Georgian authorities dismantled the metal fence erected in the village of Gumati in connection with the protests against the construction of the Namakhvani hydroelectric power station. On September 22, Enka notified the termination of the contract for the construction of the hydroelectric power station.

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