A group of Pankisi Gorge residents met with Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II. They asked the Patriarch to mediate between them and the government. The Pankisi Gorge residents want police to stop the investigation against the persons involved in April 21 incident, when the Pankisians, who were objecting to the construction of Hydro Power Plant in the gorge, clashed with police officers.

After the meeting with the Patriarch, residents of Pankisi said they received a blessing from the Patriarch to address the relevant authorities in connection with this case.

"Both sides were wrong. The patriarch have us a blessing to address the superior bodies asking for suspension of the ongoing investigation against over 400 people, including children, young people, women and old people,” Demur Dzidziashvili, one of the residents of Paankisi Gorge, said after the meeting.