The health of Elene Khoshtaria, one of the leaders of the “Coalition for Change” who is currently in detention, has significantly deteriorated, according to her lawyer Shota Tutberidze. Khoshtaria is experiencing severe joint pain and has to use a cane to move around.
According to the lawyer, Khoshtaria has been in a penitentiary facility for ten months, and about four months ago, her health began to gradually and noticeably deteriorate. The lawyer noted that during every visit, they observe symptoms that could indicate serious health problems. These include:
- severe joint pain;
- difficulty moving;
- periodic limitation of joint mobility;
- the need to use a cane when walking.
According to the lawyer, Khoshtaria herself did not intend to make this information public. However, after becoming convinced that neither the facility’s medical staff nor its management was paying proper attention to her condition, she decided to inform the public.
Tutberidze emphasized that Khoshtaria has no complaints against the facility’s staff, specifically the nurses and officers. At the same time, he criticized the attitude of the prison’s management and medical service toward her treatment.
According to him, the examinations and medical procedures conducted over the last four months have been episodic, unsystematic, and ineffective.
Since the necessary answers have not yet been received and no treatment plan has been developed, the defense sought consultation from doctors at a Turkish clinic who had previously treated Khoshtaria.
According to the conclusion of the Turkish specialists, in the absence of proper treatment, further deterioration of her condition could lead to irreversible health consequences. In particular, there is a risk that she will not be able to move without a wheelchair.
As the lawyer reported, the medical findings and recommendations of the Turkish doctors were handed over to the medical staff of Penitentiary Facility No. 5 about two months ago.
Furthermore, two weeks ago, the defense officially appealed to the facility’s administration, demanding that a treatment plan for Elene Khoshtaria be developed and provided, and that a corresponding meeting be organized. However, no response to this appeal has been received so far.
According to Tutberidze, this is yet more evidence of the penitentiary service’s indifferent attitude toward the health of prisoners and the duties imposed on it by law.