Justice Minister: Khoshtaria provided all required medical services, entry speculation emerges over missing documentation

Georgian Minister of Justice Paata Salia stated that all necessary medical assistance has been provided to Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the political movement Droa.

According to him, claims that a specific doctor has been unable to visit Khoshtaria are speculative. Salia explained that the Penitentiary Service was not provided with the required documentation to allow the doctor’s entry into the facility.

“From the very first day when Elene Khoshtaria required medical assistance, she was provided with the full range of medical services she needed. The public has been informed about this, but there are repeated attempts to create speculation, and each time we are forced to respond with facts that this is indeed speculation.

It is also speculative to claim that a doctor is unable to enter. Do you know why the doctor cannot enter? Because the Penitentiary Service was not provided with a copy of the doctor’s ID and documentation confirming his or her medical specialization. This is the only reason. The Special Penitentiary Service has expressed and continues to express readiness to allow the doctor to visit as soon as the required documentation is submitted.

There has been no case where a detainee or convicted person required treatment and it was not provided, including transfer to a private clinic when necessary. The same applies to Khoshtaria — all necessary services have been provided. We agreed to allow the doctor she requested, but the documentation was not submitted on their side. As you know, access to penitentiary facilities is regulated.

Fortunately, the diagnosis she suspected has been ruled out. According to medical staff, additional examinations are ongoing, and there is currently no alarming condition. Once the documents are submitted to the penitentiary facility, the doctor will be allowed to enter,” Salia said.