Elena Khoshtaria remains in custody

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A Tbilisi court has remanded Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the Droa movement, in custody after she refused to pay bail.

As reported by the Caucasian Knot, on September 16, the Georgian Prosecutor's Office charged Elene Khoshtaria with property damage, which carries a sentence of up to five years in prison. The opposition leader herself called the trial a "farce" and waived her right to a defense, deeming legal action against the authorities pointless. The court set Khoshtaria's bail at 5,000 lari, but she refused to pay it and remained in custody.

The Tbilisi City Court remanded Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the Droa movement, in custody on charges of damaging Kakha Kaladze's election poster, Georgia Online reported on November 3.

Judge Nato Khujadze recalled that Khoshtaria was ordered to pay bail of 5,000 lari, but she failed to pay it within the prescribed timeframe. Therefore, the previously imposed preventive measure of arrest remains in effect.

In protest, Khoshtaria refused to attend the trial. While in prison, she wrote a statement calling the trial "stolen" and declaring that she does not intend to participate.

Koshtaria is represented in court by public defender Elene Maglakelidze. She filed a motion to recuse herself, but The court dismissed the motion. The judge stated that there were no legal grounds for recusal. Maglakelidze herself reported meeting with Khoshtaria, who stated that she did not want anyone to represent her interests.

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Security forces violently dispersed the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. Over the course of the protests, more than a thousand people were subjected to administrative prosecution. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report "The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protest Participants in Georgia".