Arrested opposition leader says she will continue treatment despite ‘inadequate care’

Elene Khoshtaria, one of the leaders of the opposition group Coalition for Change, on Thursday said she remains determined to continue her treatment and political struggle despite what she describes as inadequate medical care in prison.

In a letter released from prison and shared by her lawyer, Marika Arevadze, Khoshtaria said she was acting "rationally and calmly" and rejected suggestions that she might abandon treatment.

"Do not worry about my resilience. I am continuing to stay here and fight in an absolutely rational and calm manner. They strongly wanted me to refuse treatment. They will not get that satisfaction," Khoshtaria wrote.

Earlier, Arevadze said she had visited Khoshtaria in prison and found her in a worse condition than she had expected.

According to the lawyer, prison authorities are aware of Khoshtaria's health condition and the level of pain identified through initial examinations conducted at the facility, but have not taken sufficient steps to ensure further medical tests or treatment.

"She is unwell, but her determination and willingness to continue fighting remain unchanged," Arevadze wrote on social media.

In her message, Khoshtaria said her decision to speak publicly about the issue was not driven by an inability to endure pain, but by concerns over what she described as systemic problems in the treatment of prisoners.

She said that, from December through June, a reasonable period had passed without adequate action and that she had concluded that the authorities were using prisoners' health as a tool of manipulation.

"I have become convinced through my own experience that manipulation of prisoners' health is another wrongdoing of the system," Khoshtaria said.

She added that she had gathered evidence to support her claims and intended to challenge the system over the issue.

Khoshtaria also thanked supporters for their solidarity, saying it had given her strength during recent days.