Elene Khoshtaria: Levan Ioseliani is the only person who has constant access to prison; compel him to get up, do the right thing, and establish a duty roster at the Rustavi No. 6 facility! He must not leave these young men alone for even a single minute!

Levan Ioseliani is currently the only institution and individual with constant access to prison; compel him to get up, do the right thing, and establish a duty roster [at the Rustavi No. 6 facility]! He must not leave these young men alone for even a single minute, because every minute they are left alone, they face the risk of provocations and violence! – reads a letter from Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the Droa movement.

Khoshtaria calls upon the public and lawyers to take more active measures to protect the prisoners and urges representatives of the penitentiary system to "speak up."

“I feel a strong need to address the public regarding the situation in the prisons and to outline exactly what must be done. I fully grasp the gravity and urgency of this issue, and I cannot rest without sharing my position with you.

First, of course, I stand in solidarity with all the victims of this criminal system—with every individual currently in danger at this very moment. There are four specific steps that must be taken to rectify this situation in the short term.

First, it is crucial to fully comprehend and acknowledge that the inmates of Penitentiary Facility No. 6 are not merely prisoners; they are hostages in the hands of criminals. I state this with full responsibility: you must realize that criminals have seized these people—abducted them, essentially—and can do whatever they please to them until we intervene. That is the reality of their situation; every minute they spend alone with that sadistic warden and those sadistic officers, they are in danger.

Therefore, I want to tell the public one specific thing: the only way to protect them is through your outcry, your active engagement, and your actions. Every post you write, every word of discontent you express, and every message of support you share helps these guys.

I am certain—I guarantee you—that if a protest is announced and the streets fill up, these guys will be safe. If the streets fill up and large numbers of people turn out, those cowardly executioners won't dare to do these things.

Secondly, I address the guards and officers working in all penitentiary institutions. I personally know many conscientious, highly professional, compassionate, and humane officers. I am speaking to you—I know this is unacceptable to you. I know this stains your reputation completely undeservedly. That is why I ask you, too, to speak up. Directors and staff of the penitentiary system: speak up! It doesn't have to be public if you are afraid—coordinate among yourselves, raise your voices within the system, and demand that these executioners be driven out of the system!

Thirdly—Levan Ioseliani, the man called the Public Defender, is not a Public Defender at all; he is the one who needs defending! Levan Ioseliani—no matter how formal... ...holds the status; he is the only official—the only person—authorized to enter the prison at any time. Compel him to get up, do the right thing, and establish a rotation schedule so that these young men are not left alone for even a single minute; because every minute they are left unattended, they are at risk of provocation and violence. Something bad will inevitably happen to them. So, Ioseliani needs to get moving—what business does he have sitting in his office when people are facing such danger? All their staff members need to go there—show up and step inside—so that absolutely every prisoner can see their support.

Fourth—many thanks to the lawyers who are already very active. I want to ask other lawyers as well: more is needed. Let’s set up a rotation schedule for prison; you can be there during the day—at least until six o'clock—to speak with these prisoners, and so the guards—those violent thugs—can see that the prisoners are not alone. Do this; establish a rotation and don't leave them alone for a single minute. I tell you with full responsibility: the prisoners are hostages today, and they cannot defend themselves on their own if we do not address these four points.

Thank you to Giorgi Davitadze—a huge thank you for caring so much about other prisoners and society," states Elene Khoshtaria.

Giorgi Davitadze, an inmate at Rustavi Penitentiary No. 6, has stated that he was subjected to sexual violence by prison staff. Davitadze also says that he attempted suicide following the abuse.