The main reason for which Elene was sentenced, according to Nika Gvaramia, is the very same qualities that all Georgian patriots have and for which anyone could be “charged” - for loving the country.

“The public already knows that one of the key leaders of our coalition, Elene Khoshtaria, was today sentenced to 1 year and 6 months by Ivanishvili’s court - let’s say it directly, by Ivanishvili himself. The decision taken today by Judge Giorgi Arevadze is as if it were possible to commit a crime with a marker, and that is what Elene was accused of and sentenced for - 1 year and 6 months, for a crime committed with a marker. For the first time in Georgia’s judicial history, a marker has been recognized as a weapon of crime.

In reality, of course, this is only a pretext, and the judge Arevadze is merely a formal executor. The main reason for Elene’s sentence is the very qualities that all Georgian patriots have and for which anyone could be ‘charged’ - for loving the country, for not giving up, for saying loudly, not just in prison or outside but in any circumstance, that Russia is an enemy. Today, it is not only about singing in your heart, but also about speaking out loudly.

Yes, we perceive this as yet another signal from the ‘Georgian Dream’ authorities - a signal to surrender and that everything will be fine. But everything will not be fine, because we will not surrender. It will not be fine for ‘Georgian Dream’ either, because we believe our surrender would mean the defeat of our country, and we will not create comfort for anyone, not even for ourselves, at that cost. It is not worth it. That is what Elene believes, that is what we believe, that is what Georgian patriots believe - those who fight whether in prison or outside, whether they are politicians or not, in Georgia or abroad. This fight is united.

I want to address Ivanishvili’s government directly: this situation will not change. If anyone has to surrender, it will be Ivanishvili. And if he wants to save himself, it will not be at the expense of our survival. Moreover, we do not consider survival, or non-survival, to be an existential issue - whether we are in prison or not. The existential issue for us is whether our homeland survives. Therefore, we will not negotiate anything at anyone’s expense. We will only take steps in favor of our country.

Any other rhetoric, any other kind of call, any discussions with unclear moral orientation are unacceptable to us. Speaking on behalf of the alliance, this will not happen no matter what. Yes, we also have other political prisoners - Nika is in prison, Elene is the first female politician prisoner, and Mzia is also in prison, along with many other women. This is also highly symbolic - what the regime is doing by imprisoning women in Georgia for the first time in history.

I want to express support for Elene’s family, her children, and to say that she will emerge victorious from prison. We love you very much, and although we miss your support in our shared struggle, do not think about us - think about the cause,” Gvaramia said.

For context, Elene Khoshtaria was found guilty of damaging Kaha Kaladze’s election banner. The decision was made by Tbilisi City Court judge Giorgi Arevadze, who sentenced her to 1 year and 6 months in prison.