I’m really shocked with the hunger strike of Ms. Mzia from Batumi, – EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski told journalists.
He claimed that the European Union really wants Georgia to succeed.
“I’m really shocked with the hunger strike of Ms. Mzia from Batumi. 16 days now, pre-trial detention with criminal charges for a middle-aged women accused of attacking a policeman, when all of us have seen on TV brutal beatings; women being beaten by masked men, and no one has been charged. This is unprecedented.
“This is why the discussion with member states about sanctions will continue. Regrettably, there is still no unanimity. There are member states who do not want to join unanimity, but knowing the dedication of EU leadership, we will try. Unanimity is required for the EU to introduce sanctions.
“What has been happening over the last 60 days on streets of Tbilisi and streets of other cities of Georgia, is absolutely unacceptable. There is zero willingness on part of authorities to listen to the people, which is, of course, absolutely outrageous. There is a need to find a way out of the current deep political crisis. Authorities have additional responsibility to actively look for such a way out.
“The ongoing intimidation, ongoing violence, disproportionate use of force and the erosion of trust in judicial system, and the case of Kalbatoni Mzia from Batumi is absolutely outrageous. Pre-trial detention with criminal charges for a middle-aged woman who has apparently “beaten” a policeman. I sincerely hope that this will end soon, and people who are really responsible for violence, who are really responsible for chasing and beating people, including media representatives, including politicians, will be persecuted”, said the Ambassador.
Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested on January 12. On January 14, Batumi City Court Judge Nino Sakhelashvili remanded her in custody. Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani submitted an amicus curiae brief to the Kutaisi Court of Appeal on January 16, arguing that her detention was “unjustified.”
However, on January 21, the Kutaisi Court of Appeals rejected the appeal and kept the journalist in pre-trial detention.
On January 20, it became known that Amaglobeli had begun a hunger strike, which she continues to this day. Protests demanding her release have intensified, with journalists and activists calling for justice.
