Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the opposition Droa party and a prominent figure in the Coalition for Change, has firmly rejected a court ruling granting her release on GEL 5,000 bail. The decision was issued by Judge Arsen Kalatozishvili, but Khoshtaria made it clear she would not comply. “If someone were to post my bail, it would be like stabbing me in the heart. I will not allow anyone to do that,” she declared.
Khoshtaria was detained on September 15 and charged under Part 1 of Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to the damage or destruction of property resulting in significant harm—an offence punishable by one to five years in prison. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the investigation was launched at the request of representatives from the ruling Georgian Dream–Democratic Georgia party, who alleged that Khoshtaria was involved in damaging election banners. Her arrest was confirmed by Droa on social media, along with video footage of the detention circulated by the party’s press service.
At her hearing, initially scheduled for 13:00 but postponed until 15:30, Khoshtaria refused legal representation and declined the right to a defence. The court appointed a treasury lawyer on her behalf, but she also rejected this assistance and refused to meet with a human rights defender who visited her in detention. Her absence from the courtroom prompted confusion from the presiding judge. The court gave her 20 days to pay the bail.
In a letter shared on social media, Khoshtaria elaborated on her decision, emphasizing that paying bail would not equate to real freedom.
“This is merely a gesture, the opening of the prison door, which, of course, I will not pay for. Not because it wounds my self-respect, but because I cannot call you to fight while participating in lies and farces. My imprisonment is illegal, as is the detention of many others who are free in spirit. But let me assure you, imprisonment is not the end of the struggle. I promise you, we will prevail triumphantly! Until the very end!”
By Team GT
