Two Georgian politicians announce hunger strike in protest of Gov't 'repressions'

Two prominent politicians in Georgia, Elene Khoshtaria and Gedevan Popkhadze, have launched a hunger strike in protest against what they describe as a repressive and illegitimate political regime.

Elene Khoshtaria, a leader of the opposition Coalition for Change, began her hunger strike late on June 27 in front of the Parliament building in Tbilisi. Declaring her readiness to sacrifice her life, she stated, “I am starting a hunger strike here on Rustaveli Avenue. I will not move from this spot. This is not just a desperate act—it is a firm decision.”

Khoshtaria, who had been absent from political life for several months due to health reasons, called on the public to engage in civil disobedience and resist the government’s policies. She explicitly described her action as a form of revolutionary resistance.

The following morning, Gedevan Popkhadze, a former Georgian Dream MP (2012–2019), announced that he would join Khoshtaria’s protest. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament on June 28, he said, “I am joining Elene Khoshtaria’s protest. I, too, am starting a hunger strike today.” He emphasized his full agreement with Khoshtaria’s assessment of the current political climate, describing the system as an illegal and repressive regime that serves the private interests of a single individual.

Popkhadze added, “In the face of such a regime, if we do not confront it with sacrifice and principled resolve, we are betraying those who are unjustly imprisoned and the part of society that still believes in Georgia’s European future. This is the right form of struggle.” He concluded by saying, “We are ready to give our lives for this cause… either death or victory. That is our stance.”

The protest follows the recent imprisonment of multiple opposition leaders, which has drawn widespread criticism from local NGOs, opposition, international partners and human rights organizations.