HRW: situation surrounding construction of TPP in Kudepsta demands intervention of IOC and Russian authorities

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed concern about the escalation of the conflict between residents of the settlement of Kudepsta and developers of the Olympic site - a thermal power plant (TPP). Russian authorities and the organizers of the Olympic Games should take steps to resolve the conflict and prevent acts of aggression applied by employees of private security agencies (known as ChOPs) to local residents, says the statement released by the HRW.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that residents of Kudepsta demand to give up the plans of building the industrial facility in the resort village. On April 29, employees of one of the ChOPs arrived at the TPP construction site and tried to force away the local residents who were on duty there - a fight broke out. The ChOP employees were confronted by about 50 local residents. Several injured victims needed medical help.

At least one person was hospitalized with his injuries; there is no information about his condition. Witnesses assert that several residents were injured, says the HRW statement released on April 30.

For nearly a year - and for the last time at the public hearing on April 23 this year in Sochi - the locals complained that they were not given access to the official project documentation of the TPP, which is contrary to the laws of the Russian Federation. During the hearing, the authorities failed to explain why the public had not been given access to project documentation, human rights activists have stated.

Residents claim that the construction of this facility, including a temporary bridge over the Kudepsta River, is carried out without the necessary approvals and permits from the government.

"The situation in Kudepsta is becoming more strained with every day... Residents are ready for desperate measures to express their reasoned protest against the construction of the TPP close to their dwellings under the total indifference of Russian authorities," said Jane Buchanan, the associate director of the HRW for Europe and Central Asia.

"Until now, the International Olympic Committee has accepted the assurances of the Russian government that all the activities in Kudepsta are carried out on the basis of good conscience; however, the Olympic management should not remain on the sidelines until the authorities have refused to answer the serious concerns of Kudepsta residents," said Jane Buchanan.