A two-year prison sentence handed down to journalist Mzia Amaglobeli by Batumi City Court has sparked fierce backlash both within Georgia and internationally. A coalition of 24 diplomatic missions in Georgia—including those from the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the Netherlands—issued a joint statement condemning the ruling as “disproportionate and politically motivated.” The diplomats expressed alarm over what they view as a broader campaign of intimidation and legal harassment targeting independent media in the country.
Amaglobeli, founder of the independent news outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested on January 11, 2025, during a protest in Batumi. According to the prosecution, she slapped the face of Batumi policeman Irakli Dgebuadze during a demonstration in which he sought to prevent her sticking a protest sticker on a wall. Initially held on administrative grounds and briefly released, she was later re-arrested and charged under Article 353^1 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which pertains to resistance or violence against a public order officer. This article carries a penalty of two to six years in prison, or alternatives such as house arrest or a fine.
Judge Nino Sakhelashvili reclassified the initial charge—which carried a harsher penalty of four to seven years for assaulting a public official—to the lesser Article 353^1 offense, ultimately sentencing Amaglobeli to two years in prison. Her pretrial detention lasted over 200 days, during which her physical and visual health reportedly declined. The judge informed her after the verdict that she has the right to seek a presidential pardon.
The joint diplomatic statement described Amaglobeli’s case as emblematic of Georgia’s deteriorating media climate, where independent journalists face escalating legal and political pressures. The signatories, members and allies of the Media Freedom Coalition, also referenced previous calls made in December 2024 demanding an end to violence and intimidation against journalists. They emphasized that Georgia’s international commitments to democratic values are at stake and called for Amaglobeli’s immediate release.
As she left the courtroom, Mzia Amaghlobeli was reportedly holding a handwritten sign that read: “A slap to the regime.” This detail was shared by Eter Turadze, editor-in-chief of Batumelebi, who condemned the sentence in strong terms. “Yes, that’s it!” Turadze said. “What greater injustice can the state, the court, the police, and the executive authorities commit against a citizen when they send Mzia Amaghlobeli, who has health problems and has committed no crime, to prison for two years? Everyone is ganging up on one woman! Bravo! This is a system of evil that must be dismantled.” Turadze added, “The truth is on our side, and we cannot allow the truth to be erased or encourage, through silence, the evil that reigns in this country.”
Public demonstrations erupted in Batumi following the court’s decision, with crowds marching from the courthouse chanting slogans such as “False witness police officers” and “Freedom for Mzia.” Supporters escorted Amaglobeli with encouragement as she was taken into custody. The protests reflect a growing public unease with the government’s treatment of journalists, particularly those critical of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Prominent opposition figures have also spoken out. Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the “For Georgia” party, denounced the verdict as a self-inflicted blow to the Georgian Dream government, stating on social media that in Amaglobeli, the regime “has lost the main battle – the fight for dignity.” He praised her as a symbol of unbreakable strength.
Former President Salome Zurabishvili called the verdict evidence of a regime that “no longer has the courage to back down, even when it is clear no crime was committed.” She described Amaglobeli as “the greatest sign of strength” in the country today, arguing that the ruling defies the will of the Georgian people and undermines the country’s aspirations for deeper ties with Europe.
Amaglobeli’s imprisonment has also drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organizations. Amnesty International reported that she has been verbally abused and spat upon during detention, denied adequate medical care, and often prevented from seeing her lawyer. The group has demanded a transparent investigation into the treatment she has endured while in custody.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), International Press Institute (IPI), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) all condemned the trial proceedings, calling them a disproportionate and politically charged effort to silence a critical voice. The Clooney Foundation’s TrialWatch initiative added that the criminal justice system had been weaponized in this case, urging Georgia to respect its obligations to media freedom.
German MEP Sergey Lagodinsky echoed these calls, describing the case as an overreaction to what he called “a single slap.” In a post on social media, he reiterated the European Parliament’s demand for her release and noted the state had simultaneously moved to seize the financial assets of both Batumelebi and Netgazeti, adding further pressure on Georgia’s dwindling independent press.
This incident, along with the ongoing pressures faced by independent media, puts at risk the hard-earned progress Georgia has made in building an open and diverse media landscape. The fact that so many diplomatic missions have come together to speak out highlights just how vital media freedom and democracy are—not just for Georgia, but for the entire region.
As protests continue and international pressure builds, the government’s response—and whether Amaglobeli is granted clemency—will likely serve as a test of Georgia’s commitment to the principles of justice, accountability, and press freedom.
By Team GT
