According to the lawyer, the health condition of one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change Elene Khoshtaria has worsened.

As her lawyer, Shota Tutberidze, noted, Elene Khoshtaria has severe joint pain, difficulty moving, which is why she is sometimes unable to write and needs crutches to move around.

“Today’s briefing aims to inform the public about the sharp deterioration in the health of political prisoner Elene Khoshtaria.

For 10 months now, Elene Khoshtaria has been illegally held in a penitentiary institution, where a gradual and noticeable deterioration in her health began 4 months ago.

During each visit, we, her lawyers, notice symptoms that may indicate an alarming condition. These include: severe joint pain; difficulty moving; periodic restriction of joint movement, which is why she is sometimes unable to even write and needs crutches to move around.

Elene Khoshtaria did not intend to make this information public, but after she became convinced that both the prison medical staff and the director of the institution did not show due attention, she decided to share information about her condition with the public.

Elene has no complaints against the institution’s employees, namely with nurses or officers. However, the attitude of the medical staff and director of the institution towards this issue is worth noting - the medical examinations and procedures they have conducted over the past 4 months are sporadic, unsystematic and ineffective.

Since she still does not have the necessary answers or a treatment plan, we consulted with the doctors treating Elene in a Turkish clinic. According to the Turkish doctors, without proper treatment, if her health deteriorates, irreparable harm may be caused to Elene's health. For example, she may no longer be able to move without a wheelchair. The assessments and recommendations sent by the Turkish doctors approximately 2 months ago were immediately forwarded to the medical staff of Penitentiary Institution No. 5.

In addition, it has been two weeks since Elene Khoshtaria's lawyer appealed to the penitentiary institution with a request to develop, present and organize a treatment plan for the political prisoner, and to date, this appeal has not been responded to. We have not received a response, which once again demonstrates the penitentiary service's indifferent attitude towards the health of prisoners and their obligations under the law," Tutberidze noted.