During the court hearing against journalist Mzia Amaglobeli as Irakli Dgebuadze, head of the Adjara Police’s Batumi department, was interrogated, tension escalated at Batumi City Court.
The hearing was interrupted by chants from attending citizens, who shouted slogans such as “Freedom for Mzia Amaghlobeli,” “No justice, no peace,” and “Dgebuadze, you’re a false witness.”
As these disruptions went on, Judge Nino Sakhelashvili ordered the television crew from Formula TV to leave the courtroom, saying that their alleged intent was to broadcast the testimony live. The judge’s decision pushed further protest, prompting some attendees to walk out.
Dgebuadze was summoned as part of the ongoing proceedings involving Amaghlobeli, the founder of media outlets Netgazeti and Batumelebi.
