Khoshtaria refused to participate in the trial regarding the damage to Kaladze's banner.

The court is hearing a case against one of the leaders of the "Coalition for Change," Elena Khoshtaria, for damaging an election banner in her absence. The politician also barred her lawyer from participating in the examination of evidence.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on September 16, the Georgian Prosecutor's Office charged Elena Khoshtaria with damaging someone else's property, 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 trial of Droa party leader Elene Khoshtaria, accused of damaging Kakha Kaladze's campaign banner, is underway in Tbilisi City Court without her participation.

Koshtaria has held this position since the day of her arrest. Public defense attorney Elene Maglakelidze is present at the trial; however, in accordance with the defense's strategy and the defendant's wishes, she will not question the witnesses.

Judge Giorgi Arevadze read out the report presented by the Penitentiary Service, in which Elene Khoshtaria herself states that she "does not plan to attend the so-called court hearing," InterPressNews reported today.

The opposition politician expresses a lack of confidence in the court and considers the charges against him absurd, according to Pirveli TV.

Witnesses from the Ministry of Internal Affairs were questioned at today's trial, including one who stated that when Elene Khoshtaria wrote the words "Russian Dream" on Kakha Kaladze's banner, he was at home watching the incident on television and then decided to draw up a report.

The defense is not participating in the examination of evidence. The lawyer explained the defense's position in court. "I am guided primarily by Elene Khoshtaria's position and her instructions not to participate in the examination of evidence and not to exercise the rights of the defense. Elene Khoshtaria's actions do not constitute a crime, so I hope that the court will make a fair decision," said lawyer Elene Maglakelidze.

Koshtaria is charged under Part 1 of Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (damage to another's property, causing significant damage), which carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term of one to five years.

On November 6, it became known that the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia launched an investigation into a criminal case against opposition leaders for crimes against the state. The charges include sabotage, organizing protests after the 2024 elections, hostile activity against Georgia, and calls for the overthrow of the government. In particular, according to the investigation, Elene Khoshtaria, Zurab Girchi Japaridze and Giorgi Vashadze also committed a crime when they sought sanctions against government officials from Western countries.

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 "Key Points to the Persecution of Protesters in Georgia".