Prepared by Messenger Staff
Khoshtaria: Only Possible Debate With Georgian Dream on New Elections
Writing from Rustavi women's prison, Elene Khoshtaria, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, said the opposition will only engage in debates with Georgian Dream on the issue of holding new elections, rejecting Irakli Kobakhidze's call to restore public political debates.
In a statement published on her Facebook page, Khoshtaria said participating in debates on any other topic would mean recognizing Georgian Dream as a legitimate political party, which she described as unacceptable.
"The only issue that can be debated with Dream in any format is the scheduling of new elections," she wrote. "In all other cases, even under the most noble pretexts, this would amount to recognizing them as a normal political party."
She said the opposition, not the ruling party, should define the "line of non-recognition," accusing Georgian Dream of using the debate initiative for propaganda.
Khoshtaria also questioned the logic of engaging in debates while maintaining a boycott of parliament, arguing that such participation would undermine the opposition's position.
"If debates bring even minimal results, then it is unclear why we refused to enter parliament," she wrote.
Vashadze Says Case Against Him Is 'Empty,' Ready to Pay Bail
Opposition politician Giorgi Vashadze said the criminal case brought against him contains no evidence and amounts to "a blank sheet" with only his name and a potential sentence written in it.
"There is nothing in the case materials," Vashadze told journalists ahead of a hearing at Tbilisi City Court. "My name and surname are there, and a 15-year sentence is written. That's all."
Commenting on the so-called sabotage case, Vashadze stated that prosecutors are seeking bail, and he intends to comply. "I know they are asking for 30,000 GEL as bail. Of course, I will pay it. I paid bail in the previous case as well," he said.
Vashadze said he was surprised by the lack of substance in the file, noting that it contains no factual allegations, evidence, or even fabricated materials. "There is no evidence in the case. Nothing links me to these charges," he said.
He described the prosecution as politically motivated, arguing that it is aimed at suppressing opposition activity. "This serves to stop our striving for freedom and the normal development of Georgia," Vashadze said, adding that justice can exist only when legal proceedings inspire public trust.
Criminal proceedings were initiated on November 6, 2025, against several opposition figures, including Giorgi Vashadze. He is charged with sabotage and assisting hostile activities of a foreign state, offenses that carry a possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
