Elene Khoshtaria Outlines Strategy for 'Fighting the Regime' in Letter from Prison
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the opposition party Droa, has released a statement from prison presenting her vision for how Georgia can "fight the regime" and achieve victory.
In her letter, Khoshtaria insists that change is still possible. "There is a path to victory!" she writes, rejecting the idea that peaceful methods have failed. According to her, "a peaceful revolution has not failed; it's simply that its simulation doesn't work, and we should never attempt it." She adds that "a peaceful revolution can absolutely mature," but warns that society should not rely on it alone or remain passive.
"In the post-October 4 discussions, I want to share my vision for fighting the regime in more detail," Khoshtaria writes. "Today, for understandable reasons, the conversation has focused on two things: 'Neither elections nor a peaceful revolution worked, so what do we do?' Friends, that's not how the issue stands. There is a path to victory!"
Khoshtaria argues that the Georgian regime differs from a traditional dictatorship. She identifies several key features, including reliance on Russia as "a significant source of its viability," extensive propaganda operations, and both formal and informal power structures centered around oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili.
"The regime relies on an external force, with Russia being a significant source of its viability. Therefore, the geopolitical factor and international engagement are crucial," she writes. She describes propaganda as "a powerful weapon" used to "tarnish the pro-Western flank, deepen the trust deficit, manipulate people's fears, and promote fragmentation."
Khoshtaria also highlights what she calls the "informal pillars" of Ivanishvili's rule, asserting that unaccountable figures outside official institutions often wield more power than ministers. She adds that the regime's "unlimited financial resources" are used to buy influence, create fake experts, and manipulate elections.
According to her, the opposition's struggle should aim to neutralize these "oligarchic pillars." She outlines several priorities: strengthening Georgia's international position, encouraging sanctions against key figures, countering propaganda through coordinated messaging, and organizing large-scale protests.
"Our tasks are: to accelerate the development of an action plan for Georgia with concrete steps; to expedite and direct sanctions at the right targets; to assist us in combating propaganda," she writes. Khoshtaria calls for moral integrity, a unified information campaign, and the presentation of a credible political alternative to "increase people's motivation and hope."
She further urges "non-cooperation - political, social, and international isolation of the regime," arguing that this pressure should make the authorities' allies fear losing more than they gain from loyalty. "Unified public protest: strengthening Rustaveli Avenue; large-scale rallies; targeted protests," she writes, adding that financial pressure through sanctions can also weaken the regime.
Khoshtaria stresses that all of this requires "resilience," "political and socio-political coordination," and "sincere motivation, not just working for one's own platform or ego."
"Imagine if at least 70% of this were implemented; their defeat would be inevitable," she states.
In a postscript, Khoshtaria criticizes opposition infighting, describing "Lelo's aggression and stubbornness" as particularly disheartening.
"Let's focus on the task and address the people. Till the end!" the letter reads.
