The European Union Delegation to Georgia has condemned the two-year prison sentence imposed on journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, marking the first anniversary of the verdict against the founder of the online media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti.
In a statement posted on X, the EU Delegation described the ruling as “disproportionate and politicized” and renewed its call for Amaglobeli’s immediate release.
“On the anniversary of the verdict against Mzia Amaglobeli, the European Union condemns the disproportionate and politicized sentence imposed on her and calls for her immediate release,” the statement said.
Germany’s Embassy in Georgia also reiterated its position, expressing continued concern over the case.
“One year ago, prominent Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli was sentenced to two years in prison. We remain concerned about the disproportionate and politicized nature of this verdict and once again call for her immediate release,” the embassy said.
Amaglobeli, the founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested on January 12, 2025, after slapping a police officer during a protest. She was initially charged under Article 353¹(1) of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which concerns an attack on a police officer.
On August 6, 2025, Batumi City Court Judge Nino Sakhelashvili reclassified the charge under Article 353(1) of the Criminal Code and sentenced Amaglobeli to two years in prison. The Kutaisi Court of Appeals upheld the verdict on November 18, 2025, and Georgia’s Supreme Court declined to hear the case.
While in prison, Amaglobeli was awarded the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize in 2025, the European Union’s highest human rights award.
