Georgian opposition leader Khoshtaria vows defiance after asset seizure

Elene Khoshtaria, one of the leaders of Georgia’s opposition Coalition for Changes, has claimed that her personal and party bank accounts had been seized in connection with unpaid fines, pledging to defy any further legal or political pressure.

Writing on social media on Tuesday, Khoshtaria said that authorities had frozen both her own and the Droa party’s accounts. She mocked the seizure, saying only 17 GEL (around $5) was withdrawn, which she had stored in what she called a “safe place.”

“They seized me. Me and Droa accounts too. Woe to your boss! I had my donations stored in a safe place, 17 GEL was deducted in total. Do not exceed that 17 GEL,” she wrote.

Khoshtaria, a vocal critic of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said she would not pay any fines, nor comply with any summonses for court hearings or interrogations.

“You will never receive any fines from me, nor appear at any interrogations or court hearings. Fire to the oligarchy,” she pledged.