Opposition leader Khoshtaria claims she is ‘very strong’ despite health concerns in prison

Jailed opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria on Monday said she remains resilient despite ongoing concerns over her health, insisting in a letter from prison that she will not be intimidated by the authorities and that her physical condition has not weakened her resolve.

In the letter, released on Monday, Khoshtaria thanked supporters for the public solidarity shown in recent days amid calls for her transfer to a civilian medical clinic.

“I want to thank everyone very much for such support,” she wrote. “I even feel embarrassed that so many people have been troubled over such a basic issue.”

Khoshtaria said she was particularly moved to learn that veteran Georgian filmmaker Lana Gogoberidze had joined a gathering outside the Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia in support of her.

Addressing her health, the opposition leader said she remained mentally strong despite the pain she is experiencing.

“I want everyone to know that there is no situation in which I will see any member of the ruling party - from Bidzina Ivanishvili to Irakli Zarkua  - as a victim. I am very strong,” she wrote.

Khoshtaria argued that the greatest problem was not her physical suffering but what she described as the deterioration of fundamental values in Georgia.

“What is unbearable is not the pain. I can endure this and even worse. What is unbearable is that in this country, life, health, dignity and truth simply no longer have value. That is what we must change,” she said.

She also claimed that the authorities were attempting to shape public perception of the situation but had failed to do so.

Referring to the ongoing deliberations over her medical treatment, Khoshtaria said she was unconcerned about whatever decision prison authorities ultimately make.

“My children are coming to see me now, and I will not even listen to what they decide. Whatever they decide, they cannot take anything away from me,” she wrote.