The founder of Netgazeti and Batumelebi, journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, has not yet been formally charged. Her lawyer, Juba Katamadze, says the defense cannot comment on the journalist’s position until the prosecution provides evidence.
“No charges have been filed yet. Until we receive the case materials, we cannot take any definitive position. If pretrial detention is requested as a preventive measure, we will oppose it. The arrest is clearly political. With the filing of charges, the evidence must also be provided to us,” Katamadze stated.
At 7 PM today, media representatives plan to hold a rally near the Batumi detention center under the slogan “Freedom for Mzia Amaghlobeli.”
The director of Batumelebi, Mzia Amaghlobeli, was arrested under Article 353¹ of the Criminal Code, which pertains to assaulting a police officer. She was initially detained administratively during a protest near the main police department in Batumi and released approximately two hours later. Shortly after her release, she was re-arrested near the police department.
