Judge Arevadze: No mitigating circumstances, Khoshtaria fails to compensate damage, admits no guilt

According to Giorgi Arevadze, the judge presiding over the Droa’s leader Elene Khoshtaria’s case, there were no mitigating circumstances. In the court’s decision, Arevadze explained that Khoshtaria did not pay her bail, has not compensated for the damage, and does not admit guilt.

“The crime is confirmed by footage from a TV company and a security guard. The damage amounts to 570 GEL. According to the expert report, the banner cannot be restored. There were no other mitigating circumstances. An administrative case was initiated against her 16 times, none of which she paid. She was granted bail, which she did not pay. She has not compensated for the damage and does not admit guilt,” said Arevadze.

Khoshtaria was arrested on September 15, 2025, and charged under Article 187 of the Criminal Code, which covers causing significant damage to another person’s property. The incident occurred on September 14 near Kakha Kaladze’s election headquarters, when Khoshtaria wrote “Russian Dream” on Kaladze’s banner. She later posted a video explaining her action as an expression of solidarity with Megi Diasamidze, who had been arrested for damaging the same banner and later released on bail.
The court had set bail at 5,000 GEL, which Khoshtaria refused to pay.