Protesters in Tbilisi demanded the release of Elene Khoshtaria.

On the 567th day of continuous protests, activists in Tbilisi responded to a lawyer's report about the deteriorating health of Droa Party leader Elene Khoshtaria. Protesters demanded Khoshtaria's release from prison.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on June 16, on the 566th day of continuous protests, protesters outside the Georgian Parliament protested in support of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov and Netgazeti and Batumelebi founder Mzia Amaglobeli.

The daily evening meeting on Rustaveli Avenue on June 17 was preceded by a protest in front of the Penitentiary Service headquarters. Participants demanded that Droa leader and one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, Elena Khoshtaria, be transferred to a clinic and receive immediate treatment, Publika reports.

Koshtaria's lawyer, Shota Tutberidze, reported the deterioration of her health after a personal meeting with her. According to her lawyer, Khoshtaria, who has been in custody for ten months, began experiencing health problems about four months ago, but the political prisoner had previously kept this information private.

Khoshtaria suffers from severe joint pain, which periodically limits her mobility. During periods of acute illness, she is unable to write and moves only with the aid of a cane, Pirveli reports.

Doctors at a Turkish clinic consulted by her defense concluded that without treatment, Khoshtaria's condition will continue to deteriorate, potentially leading to irreversible consequences, including complete loss of mobility and the need for a wheelchair. The defense submitted these recommendations to the prison medical service about two months ago, but the Penitentiary Service has yet to respond, Tbilisi Life reports.

The Penitentiary Service, commenting on the lawyer's statements, called them disinformation. According to officials, Khoshtaria "has unimpeded access" to medical services, and her health "has not worsened in any way." The agency also confirmed that Khoshtaria has a number of chronic illnesses diagnosed before her imprisonment.

Participants in the rally outside the Penitentiary Service building held posters reading "Freedom for Elene," "A citizen's right to accessible and quality medical care is protected by law," and "Freedom for Elene Khoshtaria." Activists held similar posters at another rally outside the Georgian Parliament on the evening of June 17.

Those gathered on Rustaveli also held posters reading "The Country is Unsafe," "Fire of the Oligarchy," "Freedom for Afgan Sadigov," and "Women Illegally Imprisoned"—the latter with photos of Elene Khoshtaria and Mzia Amaglobeli, according to posts by photographer Giorgi Mosiashvili (Mo Se) and Georgian media on Facebook*.

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. Thousands of people were subjected to administrative prosecution during the protests. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report entitled "The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protesters in Georgia".