Opposition leader Khoshtaria: “Georgia is governed by Russian-backed mafia clan”

Elene Khoshtaria, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, has sharply criticized Georgia's current leadership, calling it a “Russian criminal and mafia regime” and urging citizens to engage in sustained, peaceful national protest to confront the rising wave of repression.

“We are witnessing another wave of repressive spectacle. But the most important development in recent days has been a serious crime—the shooting of [former Adjara leader] Tornike Rizhvadze and the internal power struggles behind it,” Khoshtaria said at a press briefing.

According to her, the country is no longer simply facing isolated incidents but is being actively governed by a “criminal regime aligned with Russian interests.”

“This is a government that has turned against its own people. The key question now isn’t what is happening—we all know what is happening—but what are we going to do about it?” she emphasized.

Khoshtaria called for a two-pronged approach to challenging the ruling party:

- A strong, peaceful, continuous national protest movement to maintain internal pressure.

- Complete political and social isolation of the government, which she argues will naturally lead to increased international isolation.

“Geopolitical shifts in favor of anti-Russian sentiment are not enough,” she said. “Unless we, inside the country, choose a rational and strategic path of resistance, these changes won’t help us.”

Khoshtaria’s comments come amid July 7 alleged suicide attempt of a former Adjara Head Tornike Rizhvadze, who has been transferred to Turket for furter medical treatment.