Georgia's Crossroads_ Unpacking the Hunger Strike and Fight for Freedom

Georgia's Crossroads_ Unpacking the Hunger Strike and Fight for Freedom.

Tbilisi, Georgia — June 28, 2025 — Elene Khoshtaria, a prominent Georgian politician and leader of the opposition party Coalition for Change, announced a hunger strike on June 27, 2025, calling for a revolution against the ruling Georgian Dream party. This drastic measure comes amidst ongoing, increasingly violent protests that have gripped Georgia since late 2024, sparked by disputed parliamentary elections.

Khoshtaria made her announcement in front of the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, captured in an X post by “The One With The Rebellious Soul”. She described her hunger strike as a “new form of struggle,” emphasizing it was a resolute, victory-oriented decision rather than an emotional one. She further stated her readiness for self-sacrifice against the regime, declaring, “If you can’t see the value of life, the value of freedom […] here’s my life, here’s my freedom too — and you still can’t beat us.” and “I am ready to sacrifice myself against the regime — and I will”.

The ongoing protests, which began after the October 2024 parliamentary elections, have been marred by allegations of widespread fraud, police brutality, and the arrest of opposition figures. The European Parliament and other international bodies have refused to recognize the election results, demanding new elections and the release of political prisoners.

Khoshtaria’s hunger strike is a desperate escalation of the opposition’s tactics, driven by several grievances against the Georgian Dream party:

• Arrest of Opposition Leaders: Six individuals, including five active opposition leaders, have been sentenced to prison for refusing to appear before the Tsulukiani Commission. Notable figures include Zurab Japaridze (Girchi — More Freedom), sentenced to seven months, and Nika Melia (Ahali), sentenced to eight months. Nika Gvaramia (Ahali) is also in pre-trial detention, anticipating a similar sentence.
• Halted EU Accession Process: The Georgian Dream party is accused of aligning with Russian interests and suppressing pro-Western movements, which has reportedly halted Georgia’s EU accession process.
• Deaths of Detained Protesters’ Family Members: At least three inmates have lost parents, including Onise Tskhadadze, a comedian on trial for group violence.

Khoshtaria herself was detained on March 28, 2025, during a protest and reportedly subjected to degrading treatment, including being stripped and physically assaulted, leading to international outcry. This experience likely contributed to her decision to escalate her protest.

Article:

https://medium.com/@alberto-daniel-hill/georgian-opposition-leader-elene-khoshtaria-announces-hunger-strike-amidst-escalating-protests-10e27d0965ba