The International Press Institute (IPI) has criticized the recent decision by Georgia’s appeal court to uphold the two-year prison sentence imposed on journalist Mzia Amaglobeli. The organization reiterated its demand for the ruling to be overturned and for Amaglobeli to be released immediately.
The IPI stated that Amaglobeli’s arrest is ‘politically motivated prosecution’ which have turned her into a symbol of the broader struggle for press freedom and democracy in Georgia. Amaglobeli is the co-founder and director of two of the country’s leading independent media outlets, Batumelebi and Netgazeti, both of which have faced growing pressure as Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party intensifies its crackdown on critical voices.
In its statement, IPI said it will continue to closely follow developments in the case and advocate for Amaglobeli’s release while the legal process continues. The organization also noted that, should all domestic legal avenues be exhausted, it stands ready to support taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights.
