International and Domestic Reactions to Mzia Amaghlobeli's Verdict
sentenced
veteran journalist and Batumelebi/Netgazeti founder Mzia Amaghlobeli to two years in prison on charges of 'resistance, threat, or violence against a public official' over slapping Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze during a tense night of protests and arrests in January.
While Judge Nino Sakhelashvili's last-minute decision to reclassify the initial charge of 'assaulting a police officer' was seen by some as a retreat from the judiciary's earlier hardline stance on protest-related cases, opposition figures, rights groups, and foreign diplomats have condemned the verdict as a troubling escalation in Georgia's crackdown on dissent.
Civil.ge
has compiled a selection of domestic and international reactions to Amaghlobeli's sentencing. This article will be updated as new comments come in.
Joint Statement of 24 diplomatic missions in Georgia
: 'We the diplomatic missions of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, representing member countries of the Media Freedom Coalition and aligned embassies to Georgia, condemn the disproportionate and politicized sentencing of Mzia Amaglobeli to 2 years in prison. Mzia Amaglobeli's case is further aggravated by her prolonged pretrial detention, during which her health condition and especially eyesight has deteriorated significantly.
The case of Mzia Amaglobeli and the pressure on Batumelebi and Netgazeti exemplify the escalating intimidation of journalists in Georgia, including unpunished violence and legal persecution, in clear violation of the country's international obligations to protect media freedom and freedom of expression. We repeat the message of the Media Freedom Coalition statement of 20 December 2024, condemning all intimidation and violence against journalists and media workers. We express our solidarity with Mzia Amaglobeli and call for her immediate release.'
Cloonie Foundation for Justice
/
TrialWatch:
'Mzia Amaglobeli's conviction places Georgia among a growing number of countries using criminal law to silence journalists and curtail free speech – especially at times of political instability, when people need access to independent journalism most,' said Kate Levine, Senior Legal Program Manager at TrialWatch. TrialWatch monitored Amaglobeli's trial and will share its in-depth evaluation of it, grading it against international fair trial standards, in a forthcoming Fairness Report.'
Denis Krivosheev
,
Amnesty International's Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
: 'Mzia Amaghlobeli was subjected to a litany of abuses at the hands of the police: verbally assaulted, spat on, injured and then refused medical help. This was admitted by police officers during her trial, yet impunity has prevailed. The proceedings were riddled with procedural violations and bias, and the court refused to admit much of the defence's submissions and investigate credible allegations of ill-treatment by police officials. Mzia Amaghlobeli must receive a fair trial, and the abuses she has suffered must also be independently investigated and addressed to ensure justice.'
Reporters Without Borders
,
a Paris-based press freedom watchdog
: 'On Wednesday, August 6, the court in Batumi, Georgia, handed down its verdict: journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, co-founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was sentenced to two years in prison for the criminal offense of 'assaulting a police officer' following a symbolic slap. We call on the authorities to put an end to this travesty of justice and to release the journalist immediately.'
Rasa Juknevičienė
,
Lithuanian MEP, Standing Rapporteur for Georgia
: 'Mzia Amaghlobeli just sentenced to 2 years in prison. This is not just political persecution of a brilliant journalist. Mzia has become a symbol of Georgian's fight for a European future. Ivanishvili's regime is killing freedom and democracy faster than the Kremlin did in Russia.'
Sergey Lagodinsky
,
German MEP and Co-President of Euronest Parliamentary Assembly
: 'Mzia has just been sentenced to 2 years of prison. As an MEP and Co-President of Euronest, I reiterate our call from January: Immediate release of Mzia Amaghlobeli, a brave journalist who has spent over 200 days in custody for a single slap. While she has been on trial Georgian authorities are doubling down: seizing the assets of Batumelebi/Netgazeti under tax claims as pressure increases. Protest is not a crime! Journalism is not a threat! Georgian ruling party must abandon the path of prosecutions and respect press freedom.'
Krzysztof Brejza
,
Polish MEP
: 'Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli sentenced to 2 years – the first journalist jailed in Georgia. Instead of meeting the EU's clear demands to protect human rights, democracy and return country to the European development path, the regime is jailing journalists! This is not European – this is authoritarian. Georgia deserves better!'
Robin Wagener
,
member of the German Bundestag
: 'I strongly condemn the 2-year prison sentence for Mzia Amaghlobeli. Independent journalism is not a crime. Georgian Dream's attempt to silence pro-European voices by targeting outspoken individuals like Mzia with politically motivated charges is unacceptable. She must be released immediately and granted urgent access to medical care.
This sentence is part of a broader crackdown on civil society and human rights in Georgia, where dissent to the ruling Georgian Dream and its anti-EU-policy is increasingly being met with severe repression. We need targeted sanctions against those responsible for the repression like GD politicians or high-ranking officials within the law enforcement and security systems. The international community must stand in solidarity with the pro-European civil society in Georgia, fighting for freedom and democracy.'
Salome Zurabishvili
,
Georgia's Fifth President
: 'The regime is paralyzed-too cowardly to free Mzia Amaghlobeli, too weak to convict her. It hides behind delays, hoping to survive. But her strength exposed their fear. This isn't justice. It's a dying authoritarian system. And we won't stop!'
Giorgi Gakharia
,
leader of the opposition party For Georgia
: 'Georgian Dream crossed every political and legal red line long ago. Today, it stepped beyond any human or moral boundary. In doing so, it passed the harshest verdict on itself. Mzia Amaghlobeli now stands as a symbol of unbreakable dignity. We all stand with her in this fight.'
Tina Bokuchava
,
Chair of the Unity-UNM:
'Today, in that courtroom, we witnessed one woman's revolution against the regime. Today, through her silence, Mzia Amaghlobeli has already overthrown Bidzina Ivanishvili […]. With her strength, resilience, determination, and struggle, this one woman, before our eyes, exposed and toppled the regime. We must consolidate this energy and bring down this regime that commits such injustice against a woman […] Mzia Amaghlobeli is a proud, strong, patriotic Georgian woman. But [Irakli] Dgebuadze is not a man; this was seen by the entire country.'
Lelo/Strong Georgia
: 'The regime will be defeated! Mzia Amaghlobeli will be free!'
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OC Media
4 days ago
- OC Media
In Georgia, a police officer's cheek ranks above all
The Caucasus is changing — and not for the better. With authoritarianism on the rise across the region, the threat to independent journalism is higher than ever. Join our community and help push back against the hardliners. Become a member It was hard to find anyone around me who had positive expectations about journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli's trial. Her colleagues and friends, whom I had spoken to since her detention, especially in the final week leading up to the verdict, were emotionally preparing themselves for the worst-case scenario: The court would agree with the prosecution's claim that the slap Amaghlobeli gave to Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze after a heated exchange should be considered an 'assault on a police officer' — a charge punishable by up to seven years in prison. Such expectations were quite logical: even before the verdict, the Georgian state had gone to great lengths to portray Amaghlobeli as a criminal unworthy of spending even a single day of almost a seven months-long pre-trial period outside prison walls. Even Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze joined the campaign, pushing a theory that Amaghlobeli slapped Dgebuadze on prior instructions as part of a greater plan to discredit Georgian law enforcement agencies. Would the Georgian courts, widely regarded by critics as being directly subordinate to the political authorities, take a different stance? Past experiences hardly gave Amaghlobeli's supporters any reason for such optimism. They believed the state wanted to make an example out of a media founder, and that it would definitely do so. I've known Amaghlobeli since 2017, when I joined Netgazeti — the sister outlet of the Batumelebi newspaper which she and her friend Eter Turadze founded in the coastal city of Batumi back in 2001. Over the years, both outlets have earned a reputation as trusted sources, thanks to their uncompromising coverage of state corruption, human rights violations, and the government's intolerance of dissent. Critics inside and outside Georgia believe that Amaghlobeli ended up behind bars as a victim of one of the very problems — a corrupt judiciary and police — that Batumelebi consistently exposed under all three governments it has witnessed throughout its history. Amaghlobeli's case hasn't been important to me just because I know her personally, nor because it's the first time state repression has directly touched someone close to me. What troubles me just as much is the disproportionate, almost dystopian nature of the case itself: Up to seven years in prison for a slap; months of legal debate over whether the Batumi police chief's cheek was actually injured; and repeated court approvals of the prosecution's claim that a 50-year-old woman with no criminal record — who went on hunger strike for the first 38 days of her detention and nearly lost her vision during her time in prison — posed a risk of reoffending and should remain in pre-trial detention. I'm not even mentioning the inconsistencies the defence claimed in both the administrative and criminal cases against Amaghlobeli, nor the police testimonies that were, in several instances, nearly identical. Nor am I talking about the fact that in the past, Georgia's courts have applied far lighter charges in cases involving serious violence against police officers. All this, while Dgebuadze — who, according to Amaghlobeli, swore at her, spat on her, and even denied her access to a toilet during detention — continues his job without consequences. The same goes for the police officers who beat, humiliated, and robbed protesters and journalists during the November–December rallies with shocking brutality, yet were never held accountable. During the final hearings, it wasn't just Amaghlobeli's friends and colleagues who gathered outside the Batumi courthouse — who I saw there also included activists, people from across generations and professional fields both from Batumi and other parts across Georgia. Most moving of all were those who had been previously helped by Batumelebi in their own fights against injustice. 'If someone shoots at you [journalists], I'll throw myself in front so you don't get hit', a middle-aged woman told me while I was interviewing people at Amaghlobeli's rally. As it turned out later, she was a homeless citizen, whose plea to the local government for housing had been covered by Batumelebi. Another woman stood at the protest holding a 14-year-old issue of Batumelebi, which featured an article on the main page about the woman's efforts to find her niece, who had been placed in a psychiatric institution involuntarily, with her family unaware for months of her exact whereabouts. 'If journalists like this were sitting in parliament [as MPs], we'd be thriving today!' she shouted outside the courthouse. On the day the verdict was finally announced — after two previous hearings had ended without one, despite expectations — the courtroom was packed with Amaghlobeli's friends and supporters. Unlike the last time, I managed to get inside as well. As always, the entire room welcomed Amaghlobeli with chants of support the moment she entered. I'll never forget that one second when the courtroom erupted in joy — right after Judge Nino Sakhelashvili said, 'The charge against Mzia Amaghlobeli shall be reclassified…' It was a fleeting moment of hope, when people believed the state had finally backed down in her favour. But the joy was short-lived: although the charge was indeed reclassified under a lighter article, Amaghlobeli was still sentenced to two years in prison. As we left the courtroom, the atmosphere was filled with mixed emotions. Two years certainly sounded lighter than four, six, or seven — but was justice really served? 'In terms of justice, nothing has changed — this is still an unfair decision, just repackaged as a two-year sentence', Eter Turadze, Batumelebi's editor-in-chief, told me after the hearing. We had a short conversation outside the publication's office, where Amaghlobeli's supporters had gathered after leaving the courthouse. 'This isn't just about Mzia: it concerns every citizen of this country. They created a precedent where a 50 year-old woman with a serious health condition […] can be imprisoned for two years over Dgebuadze's cheek. It's a dehumanising environment', she added. Even some Georgian Dream supporters can't fully justify what Turadze is talking about: according to a June survey by the Georgian research organisation ISSA, the majority of Georgians (59%) found the charges against Amaghlobeli unfair — including 70% in Tbilisi, 54% in the regions, and 22% of Georgian Dream supporters. Among the ruling party's voters, 23% also either had no answer or refused to respond. While in Batumi, I kept thinking about how Amaghlobeli used to shy away from fame — she was barely active even on social media. And yet now, thanks to the Georgian state, she has become a symbol of resistance for many — one encouraging others with smiles, gestures of defiance, and a phrase from one of her letters that became a motto of the campaign in her support: 'Fight, before it's too late'.
Civil.ge
5 days ago
- Civil.ge
EU Condemns Mzia Amaghlobeli's Arrest, Calls to Release ‘Unjustly Detained'
The European Union has condemned the sentencing of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli to two years in prison, calling on Georgian authorities to release her, 'as well as those unjustly detained,' and to uphold the right to a fair trial 'as a fundamental principle of justice and a key pillar of democratic governance . ' 'The European Union strongly condemns the sentencing of Mzia Amaglobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist, to two years in prison, and expresses grave concern over the instrumentalisation of the justice system as a tool of repression against independent voices,' the EU said in its August 6 statement . The bloc stressed that 'media freedom and the right to freedom of expression are cornerstones of any democratic society,' noting that journalists must be able to 'carry out their vital work without fear of persecution or undue restraint.' 'The actions of the authorities targeting and silencing independent media undermine the very foundation of democracy, contradict Georgia's international obligations and run counter to the European aspirations of the Georgian population,' the statement read. The EU said it stands with the Georgian people and their European aspirations and 'remains steadfast in its commitment to support civil society and independent media.' On August 2, Batumi City Court sentenced Amaghlobeli, founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti outlets, to two years in prison on charges of 'resistance, threat, or violence against a public official.' The journalist was detained in January, after a tense night of protests and arrests during which she slapped Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze. Although Judge Nino Sakhelashvili downgraded the initial harsher charge of 'assaulting a police officer,' the verdict has drawn widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally . Critics argue that Amaghlobeli should have never been imprisoned, viewing the ruling as disproportionate and unfair and as part of a broader crackdown by the ruling Georgian Dream party to silence dissent and intimidate independent voices. Earlier, 24 diplomatic missions of European countries in Georgia also condemned 'the disproportionate and politicized sentencing of Mzia Amaglobeli to 2 years in prison.' Also Read:
Civil.ge
6 days ago
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Doctor and Activist Acquitted of Drug Charges in First Not-Guilty Verdict Tied to Current Protests
Giorgi Akhobadze, a 44-year-old doctor and civic activist, was acquitted of heavy drug charges, marking the first not-guilty verdict in dozens of ongoing criminal trials of those detained in the context of protests since November 2024. He was released from the courtroom after eight months in pre-trial custody. Cheers erupted in the corridors of Tbilisi City Court on August 6, as Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili finally delivered a long-delayed ruling, more than ten days after the initial verdict announcement was expected. Earlier that day, Batumi City Court sentenced journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli to two years in prison, reclassifying the original criminal charges of assaulting a police officer. Together, the two rulings may signal a significant retreat from the Georgian judiciary's previously uncompromising approach to protest-related cases. 'Fight till the end!' – Akhobadze said in his first media remarks in the courtyard after his release, thanking journalists and supporters. He said he had some anticipation of the positive ruling with 'foolish optimism.' He vowed not to stop, saying that 'it is impossible for this country to become Russia and remain in Russian hands.' Akhobadze, a prominent figure with a strong social media following due to his civic activism, was arrested on December 7, 2024, while driving home from a pro-EU rally on Rustaveli Avenue. Prosecution, led by Shmagi Gobejishvili, alleged that Akhobadze had illegally obtained more than three grams of the synthetic drug Alpha-PVP. He was charged under Article 260 of the Criminal Code with the illegal purchase and possession of a large quantity of narcotics, an offense punishable by 8 to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment. Akhobadze had denied the charges, claiming the drugs were planted and that he was targeted for his political activism. According to the prosecution, police stopped and searched Akhobadze based on operational information detailed in a report compiled four to five hours before the arrest. The report claimed that Akhobadze might have been in possession of narcotics. But Akhobadze's defense highlighted multiple flaws and inconsistencies in the prosecution's case. His lawyer, Lasha Tsutskiridze, told Radio Liberty that the arrest was unlawful, citing the police's failure to provide video documentation of the search or to involve a neutral witness, both procedures required when seizing illegal substances based on operational intelligence. According to Tsutskiridze, Akhobadze reported the presence of at least six police officers at the scene, contradicting the police report, which claimed officers lacked the technical and human resources to document the search. The defense further alleged evidence fabrication, citing Akhobadze's account that officers forcibly collected his saliva with their fingers upon detention. His other lawyer, Mariam Madzgarashvili, cited expert testimony confirming that a sample of Akhobadze's saliva was found on the drug packaging. According to the defense, this raised serious concerns that the evidence may have been deliberately tampered with, suggesting the possibility that officers artificially contaminated the package to link it to Akhobadze. Akhobadze's case was initially overseen by Judge Mikheil Jinjolia, but in a sudden move seven months after the arrest, he was replaced by Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili on July 4. At the time of his detention, Akhobadze was the primary caretaker of his bedridden mother, who passed away in January, just a month after his arrest. Her death marked one of at least four instances in which individuals detained in protest- or opposition-related cases lost a parent while in custody. Five other protesters and activists are awaiting verdicts on similar drug-related charges, including journalist Nika Katsia, Tedo Abramov, Anastasia Zinovkina, Artem Gribul , and Anton Chechin . Zinovkina, Gribul, and Chechin are Russian citizens. They all allege politically motivated drug planting. The arrests on heavy drug charges have drawn significant scrutiny and criticism. Georgian civil society organizations monitoring the cases alleged in February that the Georgian Dream government sought to discredit the protest movement by targeting high-profile demonstrators with serious drug-related arrests. According to these groups, the arrests followed a consistent pattern: investigations initiated on unverified 'operative information' from undisclosed sources; testimonies relying solely on law enforcement officers and affiliated witnesses; and a lack of neutral observers or video recordings during searches. Akhobadze is the first person to be acquitted in a series of ongoing criminal cases among those detained in the context of protests that broke out following the disputed October 26 parliamentary elections. Nine people were given jail sentences before, including journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli , Anri Kakabadze , Anri Kvaratskhelia , Saba Jikia , Giorgi Mindadze , Mate Devidze , Denis Kulanin, Daniel Mumladze, and Guram Khutashvili . Seven more remain in prison after being convicted over their involvement in the spring 2024 protests against the foreign agents law, including Omar Okribelashvili, Saba Meparishvili, and Pridon Bubuteishvili, who were convicted in January, Davit Koldari, Giorgi Kuchuashvili, and Giorgi Okmelashvili , who were convicted in February , as well as Irakli Megvinetukhutsesi, convicted in December. Eight individuals, including six active opposition politicians, were recently sentenced to prison terms of several months for defying the Georgian Dream investigative commission. , a civic platform documenting the cases of detainees, currently lists over 60 persons who were jailed in 2024-2025 and are considered political prisoners. Also Read:
