Russia has designated the Georgian opposition Droa party, led by jailed politician Elene Khoshtaria, as an “undesirable” organization on its territory, accusing it of holding “strongly Russophobic views” and seeking to “discredit Russia’s actions” regarding Georgia.
The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office said in a November 5 statement that Droa was established in 2021 and is part of the opposition Coalition for Change. Describing the party’s activities, the Office said its focus is the “so-called exposure of the local ruling elite’s ties with Russia,” dismantling Georgia’s “one-party system,” and “promotion of the idea of accelerating the country’s integration into the European Union.”
The Office also accused Droa members of holding what it called “strongly Russophobic views,” and seeking to “discredit our country’s actions regarding Georgia.” The statement claimed the party “opposes normalizing bilateral relations with Russia in the political, economic, and cultural-humanitarian spheres, and demands the reinstatement of the visa regime and the suspension of direct air service between the two countries.”
“They believe that Russia has occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia, violating international law and the sovereignty of the South Caucasus state.”
It further claimed that the leader of Droa “accuses Georgia’s ruling party of supporting a pro-Russian course and attempting to isolate the country from the process of European integration.” The party, it continued, “actively supports the Ukrainian regime, calls for closer cooperation between Georgia and Ukraine, and advocates for Georgia’s inclusion in the ‘Carpathian Eight.’”
In response, Droa said in a Facebook statement that Russia had designated the party as undesirable for, among other things, considering Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions as occupied territories, describing Russia as a violator of international law and Georgia’s sovereignty, and exposing the “secret ties” between the ruling Georgian Dream party and Moscow.
“We take this honorable opportunity to declare once again: Abkhazia and Samachablo [Tskhinvali] are Georgia! Glory to the heroes! The Ivanishvili regime is Russian! We will put an end to Ivanishvili’s Russian regime in Georgia!” the party said, adding that “Georgia will be a member of the EU and NATO!”
Khoshtaria was detained on September 15, 2025, after writing “Russian Dream” on a campaign banner of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze. She was sentenced to one year and six months in prison in March after the court found her guilty of “property damage.”
She, along with seven other opposition party leaders, also faces separate charges in a “sabotage” case, which carries lengthy prison sentences if convicted.
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