According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, "Coalition for Change" leader Elene Khoshtaria underwent "appropriate legal procedures" following her detention.

The ministry's statement notes that, in accordance with security protocols, all necessary procedures were conducted in full compliance with the law before Khoshtaria was placed in a temporary detention facility.

"We would like to respond to the accusations made against Ministry of Internal Affairs employees in a post published on the Facebook page of Coalition for Change leader Elene Khoshtaria.

To clarify, on March 28 of this year, during a protest near Parliament, Elene Khoshtaria was detained for disobeying a lawful police order and for petty hooliganism, in accordance with Articles 166 and 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code.

Following her detention, the necessary legal measures were taken. She was initially transferred to a police administrative building and later to a temporary detention facility.

Before being placed in the detention facility, the legally required procedures were initiated, as regulated by Order No. 423 of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, issued on August 2, 2016.

During these procedures, Elene Khoshtaria violated the internal regulations of the detention facility by refusing to undergo the legally mandated procedures in full and behaving aggressively. Despite multiple requests and legal explanations from facility staff, she continued to refuse inspection. For security reasons, the required procedures were carried out in full compliance with the law before she was placed in the detention facility.

Additionally, during the inspection, a substance presumed to be illegal was found in her possession, and it has been sent for examination.

The procedures conducted at the detention facility were recorded on surveillance cameras. If requested, and in accordance with legal procedures and the detainee’s consent, the relevant authorities and human rights defenders may review the footage.

Furthermore, after being placed in the temporary detention facility, Elene Khoshtaria refused to meet with a representative of the Public Defender’s Office," the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated.

For reference, Coalition for Change member Elene Khoshtaria was detained during an ongoing protest near Parliament. She claims that law enforcement officers completely stripped her at the Digomi main police department. According to Khoshtaria, she was also physically assaulted earlier at the police station on Ramishvili Street.