Police Break up Anti-BTC Rally

On August 20 five policemen were injured while dispersing a rally protesting the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline through the Borjomi Valley in western Georgia on August 20. Protesters threw stones at the policemen, according to the Georgian Interior Ministry. 

The protesters in Borjomi, as well as environmental groups, demand a route change for the construction of the BP-led BTC pipeline. They fear that a possible oil spill will damage the Borjomi Valley?s fragile ecology. The Borjomi Valley is famous for its mineral springs.

A similar protest rally was also broken up by the police two weeks ago in Borjomi. Two policemen were reportedly injured during that incident.

The Georgian government halted construction of the U.S.-backed BTC pipeline on July 22 after the authorities demanded the tightening of environmental security measures along the 17-km long section of the pipeline that passes through the Borjomi Valley.

Construction resumed in early August under the supervision of both Georgian and foreign experts to ensure the observance of environmental safety norms.