“Don’t you know who you’re supposed to protect? Are you still defending the Russians? I used to have a Russian boot and a barrel here… and I kicked their tank with my foot… Now you, the new generation, come along, and I — someone whose brother was killed by Russians, whose family was destroyed by them — I’m supposed to be beaten and killed by a fellow Georgian? Don’t you realize what’s going on, my child? You’re young, right? You have mothers and grandmothers at home my age… don’t they know history? Now you’ll get an order to put handcuffs on me and throw me in, right? Then you’ll sit at a table and toast to Georgia, right? Shame on you… I came here to tell you this! Your silence is destroying me. How do your mothers even hold you close… My heart is breaking… You’ve forgotten, haven’t you? You’ve forgotten Tatunashvili? Your recent history is right in front of you! Wake up! Think about who you’re serving!”

“I usually avoid imposing my personal emotions or experiences on the public—especially when so many young people are victims of the regime and of torture.
However, this time, I decided to share what happened during my detention because I know that if this happened to me, many others may be treated even worse. This is neither new nor surprising, but in such cases, speaking out publicly, showing solidarity, and protecting one another is a tool of resistance.

Briefly: after my detention, at the police station on Ramishvili Street (the so-called “glass box”), officers Nino Chkhartishvili and Davit Bolotashvili tightly handcuffed my hands behind my back after I refused to cooperate. They then injured my jaw and teeth. Don’t worry, friends—singing ‘Ole, Ola,’ I gave them a hard time, and they couldn’t break me.

A more humiliating episode occurred in Digomi, at the temporary detention isolator. Again, against my will and with the help of a special team called in from the police, my hands were handcuffed behind my back. Two officers (Nino Chkhartishvili, Salome Lashkhia, and another) held me down and fully stripped me. This forced undressing is a disgraceful Russian-style practice of violence and humiliation.

I resisted again, but I kept imagining all the vulnerable and inexperienced people who fall into their hands. Some are too afraid to speak about it; others are ashamed. It’s certainly a sensitive topic, but we must talk about it, pursue justice, and eliminate such treatment of people.

Once again, I apologize for focusing on myself when so many problems surround us. But I believed it necessary for the cause and chose to put aside my personal discomfort.

I’m okay—don’t worry about me. The real concern is for all the innocent people who’ve been locked up for months.

Thank you for your support!”
— writes Elene Khoshtaria, a leader of the “Coalition for Change,” in a letter sent from the isolator.
As a reminder, Khoshtaria was detained yesterday, March 28, during a protest.