The Droa (“It’s Time” — a Georgian opposition political party) has responded to a statement by the penitentiary service, which claimed that the imprisoned leader of the political movement, Elene Khoshtaria, is “provided with all necessary conditions and unimpededly receives all services, including medical ones.” The party stated that these assertions do not correspond to reality.
“The truth is that her health is irreversibly deteriorating, and this is acknowledged even in the statement of the penitentiary service itself,” the statement reads.
According to the party, the penitentiary service has also failed to respond to an appeal from Khoshtaria’s lawyer, who requested a treatment plan and a meeting with the facility’s administration. Droa claims that two weeks after the letter was submitted, neither Khoshtaria nor her lawyer has received a response.
The party also refuted reports that the defense had accused the prison administration of intentionally harming the political prisoner’s health. The statement emphasizes that Khoshtaria had been diagnosed with chronic illnesses prior to her arrest, but the penitentiary system, the party claims, fails to provide the necessary systemic treatment.
According to Droa representatives, following a press conference, the facility’s management and the prison doctor promptly contacted Khoshtaria for the first time. The party expressed regret that public exposure of the issue was required to initiate such contact.
The statement also notes that the current treatment is episodic and aimed only at temporarily relieving individual symptoms, rather than providing comprehensive treatment for the illness. According to the party, even a rheumatologist, with whom Khoshtaria consulted via video link at the initiative of the institution’s administration, pointed out that the tests performed, including an MRI, do not allow for a full assessment of her condition because they were conducted without the necessary contrast agent.
Droa states that prior to her detention, Khoshtaria’s health was successfully managed, and the noticeable deterioration began after responsibility for her treatment was transferred to the penitentiary service.
The party also emphasized that Khoshtaria has no complaints against the facility’s rank-and-file staff, such as nurses and officers. At the same time, Droa holds the current authorities and Bidzina Ivanishvili personally responsible for any potential severe consequences to her health.
In conclusion, the party urged the penitentiary service to stop spreading what it considers to be false information and to immediately respond to the appeal of Khoshtaria’s lawyer.
