Arrested opposition leader Khoshtaria's health has 'sharply deteriorated' over past four months, lawyer

The health of opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria has significantly deteriorated over the past four months while in prison, her lawyer Shota Tutberidze has claimed, citing severe joint pain, mobility problems and increasing physical limitations.

Speaking at a briefing on Wednesday, Tutberidze said Khoshtaria, who has been in custody for 10 months, has experienced worsening symptoms, including difficulty moving, restricted joint function and periods when she is unable to write. He added that she now sometimes requires a walking stick.

According to the lawyer, medical assessments and recommendations from doctors in Turkey were provided to prison medical staff around two months ago. He said the doctors warned that without appropriate treatment, her condition could worsen and potentially cause irreversible damage.

Tutberidze criticised what he described as an inadequate response by prison authorities, claiming medical examinations and procedures carried out over the past four months had been sporadic and ineffective. He also said a request submitted two weeks ago seeking a treatment plan and a meeting with prison officials had not yet received a response.

Meanwhile, Giga Lemonjava, one of the leaders of the opposition group Coalition for Change, accused the authorities of failing to provide adequate medical care and said the government was fully aware of Khoshtaria's condition.