Lawyer and politician Eka Beselia visited imprisoned opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria at a women’s prison on June 22 and said her health condition appears to have worsened.
Speaking to TV Pirveli, Beselia said Khoshtaria now uses a walking stick and appears to be suffering from significant pain.
“When I last saw her, she did not need a walking stick, nor did she have difficulty walking. We all know how resilient she is. Now she moves with a walking stick and came to our meeting using one. Visually, she tried not to show it, but it is obvious that she is experiencing severe pain,” Beselia said.
Beselia claimed that health problems for which Khoshtaria previously sought treatment in Turkey have progressed and developed into additional complications. She said Khoshtaria informed her that, prior to their meeting, she had spoken with the prison’s chief physician about concerns regarding her medical care and areas where treatment may be insufficient.
Beselia said she received assurances from both the prison director and the chief physician that further examinations and consultations would be carried out promptly.
“Part of the test results will be available today, while the rest are expected tomorrow or, at the latest, the day after. They will also meet with the doctor requested by Elene. The chief physician will review and share the test results with that doctor so that an accurate diagnosis can be established. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, decisions will be made regarding the course of treatment and where it should be conducted,” Beselia said.
Khoshtaria, the leader of the opposition party Droa, was arrested on September 15, 2025, after writing the words “Russian Dream” on an election billboard featuring Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze in an act of solidarity with 23-year-old student Megi Diasamidze. A court ordered her release on bail of 5,000 GEL, but Khoshtaria refused to pay as a form of protest and remained in custody. She was later sentenced to one and a half years in prison.
In March 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for her immediate release.
During a June 17 briefing, Khoshtaria’s lawyer, Shota Tutberidze, and Droa’s executive secretary, Giga Lemonjava, stated that her health had deteriorated significantly over the past four months. They claim that she suffers from severe joint pain, has difficulty moving and sometimes struggles to write. Citing recommendations from Turkish doctors, they warned that without appropriate treatment her condition could suffer irreversible damage.
The Special Penitentiary Service has rejected claims that Khoshtaria’s condition has worsened in prison. The agency stated that the vast majority of her diagnoses are chronic conditions that were identified before her incarceration. It also said she is receiving all necessary medical examinations and specialist consultations and that she has not expressed dissatisfaction with the medical care provided by prison staff.
Image source: Netgazeti
