Georgian Parliament Speaker questions Russian payments to opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday voiced sharp criticism of opposition figure Elene Khoshtaria, questioning the rationale behind millions of rubles being transferred from Russia to her family every month.

Imedi TV on Monday learnt that just hours after the detention of the Georgian opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria, her father, Gogi Khoshtaria, received a transfer of ₽9 million (Russian ruble) - approximately $110 000 - from the Russian budget.

“I don’t know what debt the Russian people owe Elene Khoshtaria that millions of rubles are deposited to her every month. Khoshtaria herself claims that Russia does not honor agreements and cannot be trusted. Apparently, the only people to whom agreements are upheld are members of the Khoshtaria family”, the Speaker said.

The remarks came after journalists asked Papuashvili about members of the European Parliament calling on to sanction the Georgian authorities over Khoshtaria’s recent arrest.

“The only person who should be sanctioned, if anyone cares about the rule of law and democracy, is Elene Khoshtaria herself, who is involved in extremist activities. The Georgian state is addressing these sanctions. You know that multiple administrative proceedings have been launched against her for extremist acts. Just a few days ago, she committed a politically motivated crime, and this is now a criminal case against her”, he continued.

Journalists also asked about the funds transferred from Russia to Khoshtaria’s father, Gogi Khoshtaria, after her arrest.

“Once again, I don’t understand what debt the Russian people have toward her. It’s curious - on one hand, there are claims of obligations, while on the other hand, Khoshtaria says Russia doesn’t respect agreements. It seems the only people for whom agreements are respected are her family. This is the height of hypocrisy”, he concluded.

The Georgian Interior Ministry on Monday arrested the opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria for damaging campaign banners of Kakha Kaladze, the ruling Georgian Dream party's candidate for Tbilisi Mayor.

In 2022, Khoshtaria confirmed transfers of funds from Russia to the account of her family member, and said the money involved royalties from a Russian theatre as her father was the successor of Soliko Virsaladze, a famed Georgian scenographer who produced set and costume designs in theatres, including venues based in Russia.