Latest news with #BatumiCityCourt
Civil.ge
4 days ago
- Politics
- 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
5 days ago
- Politics
- Civil.ge
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:
Civil.ge
5 days ago
- Politics
- Civil.ge
International and Domestic Reactions to Mzia Amaghlobeli's Verdict
Batumi City Court 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. 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!' More to follow…
Civil.ge
5 days ago
- Politics
- Civil.ge
Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli Sentenced to Two Years in Jail as Court Reclassifies Charges
Batumelebi and Netgazeti founder Mzia Amaghlobeli has been sentenced to two years in jail after the court's last-minute decision to reclassify criminal charges from attack on a police officer to 'resistance, threat or violence' against an official. While still deemed unfair by Amaghlobeli's supporters, the verdict is seen as a slight retreat from the Georgian judiciary's previously uncompromising stance on protest-related cases. The ruling comes after Amaghlobeli spent seven months in pre-trial detention, where she ended up for slapping Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze during a tense night of protests and arrests. The case had attracted widespread scrutiny, with observers describing both the criminal charges and the lengthy pre-trial custody as punitive measures aimed at silencing the journalist. Amaghlobeli was initially charged with assaulting a police officer under Article 353 prima of the Criminal Code, carrying a penalty of four to seven years in prison, which was reclassified on August 6 to a charge under part 1 of Article 353 Criminal Code involving 'resistance, threat or violence against a protector of public order or other representative of the authorities', punishable by a fine or house arrest for a term up to two years, or by imprisonment for a term of two to six years. Batumi City Court Judge Nino Sakhelashvili delivered the ruling on August 6, as supporters gathered in and outside the courtroom in the coastal city to stand with Amaghlobeli. 'Whatever decision you make today, I want you to know that I consider myself a winner,' Amaghlobeli told the court in her closing remarks on August 4. Many had traveled long distances to attend the trials, including Amaghlobeli herself, who is held at Rustavi's fifth penitentiary facility, a six-hour drive from Batumi, where she was arrested and tried and where she has worked for many years. Among the crowds who attended three final hearings from August 1 to August 6 were family members, colleagues, activists, politicians, diplomats, and Georgia's fifth President, Salome Zurabishvili. 'The regime is paralyzed – too cowardly to free Mzia Amaghlobeli, too weak to convict her,' Zurabishvili wrote on X after the verdict. 'It hides behind delays, hoping to survive. But her strength exposed their fear. This isn't justice. It's a dying authoritarian system.' The journalist had firmly rejected the plea deal floated by prosecutors during previous hearings, arguing that accepting it would mean admitting that a slap constituted an attack. 'I won't and can't sign this plea bargain, because what happened was not an attack, and portraying and painting a slap as an attack is evil,' the journalist said, calling the offer 'deeply offensive' and likening it to 'being buried alive.' Originally from Chvana village in Shuakhevi, Adjara, Amaghlobeli co-founded the local media outlet Batumelebi in Batumi with Eter Turadze in 2001. In 2010, Batumelebi established another outlet, Netgazeti , with a focus on nationwide reporting. Since then, the two outlets have become key media sources on developments in Georgia and Adjara, with a broad focus on critical coverage of politics, social issues, and corruption, among others. 'Mzia Amaghlobeli's case is a mirror of how the government abuses power, how the charge fails to serve its purpose, and how it tries to present the victim as the abuser and the abuse as the victim,' Maia Mtsariashvili, Amaghlobeli's lawyer, told the court at the end of nearly eight hours of concluding remarks on August 1, describing the case as the one 'to be talked about by generations.' The journalist was placed in pre-trial detention following the tense night of arrests on January 11–12 in Batumi. She was detained twice that night — first after placing a protest sticker on an outbuilding of the Batumi Police Department, and again shortly after her release, after slapping Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze during a tense standoff. She was charged with assaulting a police officer over the latter incident, a charge under Article 353 prima of the Criminal Code carrying a penalty of four to seven years in prison. The journalist's defense has argued that the charges of assaulting a police officer were disproportionate to the act committed, citing, among others, Georgian judicial practice not classifying a slap as such an attack. Amaghlobeli went on a hunger strike following her arrest, which she ended on February 18, after 38 days. In June, the journalist's lawyers raised concerns that the defendant was on the verge of losing her eyesight, with her already poor eye health further deteriorating since her detention amid a lack of medical examination and care. Amaghlobeli also recounted inhuman treatment on the part of Dgebuadze while in custody, including verbal insults, menacing the journalist with what she said were attempts at physical attacks, spitting in the face, as well as being restricted from using the bathroom or being provided with drinking water. Several experts testified to the court, effectively dismissing the versions of serious pain or injury inflicted on Dgebuadze's cheek as a result of a slap. That included prosecution expert Givi Chkhartishvili, who denied identifying any 'objective sign' of damage on Dgebuadze's face following a slap in his testimony. The defense also argued that police witnesses had given false testimony and criticized prosecutors and investigators for their unwillingness to question Amaghlobeli. Meanwhile, the court refused to admit testimony from multiple defense witnesses, the lawyers said. Throughout her detention, Amaghlobeli has been fined twice on administrative charges, in what her lawyers argued were two fines on the same act of putting a sticker, and a result of a separate fabricated administrative case to justify her initial illegal detention on the sticker incident. Amaghlobeli's defence has repeatedly raised concerns about Georgian Dream officials, including GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, claiming Amaghlobeli was carrying out a 'specific instruction' to diminish police. The journalist's lawyers motioned to question Kobakhidze as part of the trial, but the request was denied. The journalist's case has drawn widespread domestic and international attention. Support for her release has come from a broad spectrum of individuals and groups, including academics, politicians, and even conservative figures such as Irma Inashvili, leader of the nativist Alliance of Patriots party, whose views typically differ sharply from those of the journalist. The European Parliament has repeatedly called for Amaghlobeli's release in its resolutions, and European diplomats routinely attended the court hearings. The TrialWatch initiative of the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) has been monitoring the trial, describing it as a case that 'has come to symbolize the growing concern over the shrinking space for free expression in Georgia.' The initiative identified several key issues in the proceedings, including the prosecution's failure to present evidence that a slap constituted a violent act; the authorities' failure to investigate the journalist's complaints of ill-treatment; and pressure tactics and reputational attacks by the prosecution, including urging Amaghlobeli to plead guilty and referencing unrelated past incidents to build their case. On June 26, the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA), a local human rights group, announced that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) had begun reviewing the appeal in Amaghlobeli's case, roughly two months after GYLA submitted the application. The organization said the Court indicated the case may be classified as an 'impact case,' one that could significantly influence or change human rights law. The application covers the period from the opening of the investigation through to Amaghlobeli's pre-trial hearing, and lawyers have challenged the legality of both Amaghlobeli's detention and the custody as a pre-trial measure, and alleged political motivation, among others. The verdict comes as no police officer has been held accountable for documented abuses during violent dispersals. Critics also note that pro-government thugs and affiliated figures often escape punishment or get away with lenient penalties , while Amaghlobeli and others arrested over protests face harsh sentences. This post is also available in: ქართული
OC Media
5 days ago
- Politics
- OC Media
Georgian media founder Mzia Amaghlobeli sentenced to two years in prison
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 Batumi City Court has sentenced Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of news sites Batumelebi and Netgazeti, to two years in prison for slapping the Chief of Police of Batumi during a heated exchange. Amaghlobeli was initially charged with 'assaulting a police officer', which carried a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. However, in a last minute change while announcing the verdict on Wednesday, Batumi City Court downgraded the charge to 'resisting, threatening, or using violence against a protector of public order'. The verdict wrapped up a high-profile case widely seen by critics as part of the Georgian government's escalating crackdown on dissent and an attempt to set an example for its opponents. Given the time served in pre-trial detention, Amaghlobeli is due to be released in 17 months. A convoy transporting Amaghlobeli from the court building to prison was greeted by hundreds of supporters waiting outside, who whistled and chanted her name. Supporters greeted Amaghlobeli as she left the court building. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media. Reacting to the verdict, Amaghlobeli's lawyer, Maia Mtsariashvili, dismissed the last minute reclassification of the charges against her client as an 'attempt to save face' by the government. 'In reality, this isn't a verdict, but a demonstrative act of punishment. It makes no difference whether [the sentence] would be four years or two years. The court, and behind the court — you know who I mean — the entire government was involved in a slanderous campaign against Mzia', she said. Gela Mtivlishvili, a journalist and founder of Mtis Ambebi, addressed the gathered crowd outside the court and said the reclassification of the charges against Amaghlobeli changed nothing, and that they demanded she be freed. During the trial, prosecutors had argued that the slap Amaghlobeli gave to Batumi's police chief amid a tense protest in January constituted 'assault'. In her closing statement two days before the verdict, Amaghlobeli thanked her supporters and reiterated that she did not intend to avoid responsibility for her actions. However, she emphasised that the lengthy prison sentence being sought by prosecutors was disproportionate. 'I believe there is a provision in the law that appropriately corresponds to my action — a slap', she added. Amaghlobeli also addressed the prosecution's offer of a plea deal, which would require her to admit guilt in exchange for a reduced sentence. The media founder described such an arrangement as equivalent to her being 'buried alive'. 'My lawyers have already made my position clear: that I will not and cannot sign this plea deal for the simple reason that what happened was not an assault. Framing and packaging a slap as an act of violence is an act of malice. What kind of justice is that? I honestly don't know'. For the 207 days following the incident, the veteran journalist remained in pre-trial detention, with the court repeatedly accepting the prosecution's claim that the 50-year-old woman with no prior criminal convictions posed a risk of reoffending. Amaghlobeli went on a hunger strike for the first 38 days of her detention in protest. Her eyesight, already impaired before her arrest, deteriorated significantly in prison, to the point where, according to her lawyer, she could only distinguish between light and dark in her left eye. Amaghlobeli was first detained at night on 11 January after putting a sticker calling for a nationwide strike on a fence outside a police station in Batumi. She had done so in protest against the detention of her colleague, Tsiala Katamidze, for putting up the same sticker on the same street. Shortly after being released, she was again arrested after slapping Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze during a heated exchange outside the police station. Throughout the court proceedings, Amaghlobeli spoke about the circumstances leading up to the incident, including degrading treatment by the police, as well as the abuse she faced following her arrest after slapping the officer. This included being spat in the face by Dgebuadze, subjected to verbal abuse, and being denied access to a toilet. Amaghlobeli's case has been widely condemned by critics both in Georgia and abroad as politically motivated, linked to her work as a media personality. Critics also pointed to the video of Amaghlobeli's arrest following the slapping incident as early evidence that her punishment was premeditated — the footage showed Dgebuadze insulting and threatening her. 'I fucking swear, I'll arrest her under the criminal [code] […] I'll fuck her mother's pussy', Dgebuadze could be heard the footage was shown during a hearing in May, Dgebuadze stated that the voice in the recording 'sounds like' his. He then added that he might have used obscene language, but only for the purpose of 'describing the fact'. He did not confirm the actions described by Amaghlobeli, including spitting on her. 'Freedom for Mzia' Amaghlobeli has been working in journalism for over 25 years. She founded Batumelebi in 2001 together with her friend and colleague Eter Turadze in the coastal city of Batumi. The outlet was established as an independent media organisation focused on reporting human rights violations and official corruption. In 2010, the founders of Batumelebi went on to launch Netgazeti, a Tbilisi-based news platform. Both outlets have received numerous local and international awards for their work, along with pushback and hostility from those in power. 'In my generation, I'm one of those in the media who managed to turn their back on sycophantic, propagandistic, Soviet-style journalism', Amaghlobeli said during one of the hearings. 'Governments don't look kindly on critical journalism, but that's not so dangerous when a country has an independent judiciary'. For many of those Georgians protesting the ruling Georgian Dream party policies for 250 days since late November, Amaghlobeli has become a symbol of government repression and attacks on the media and civil society. The media founder's trial has also drawn significant attention from the government critics and has been closely followed by EU politicians and diplomats. Representatives of European embassies, as well as international human rights and press freedom organisations, have frequently commented on and attended the court hearings. In a joint statement last week, 14 international press freedom groups, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, called for an end to Amaghlobeli's 'discriminatory and excessive persecution', demanding her immediate release. 'Freedom for Mzia' became the rallying cry of her release campaign, with colleagues and supporters repeatedly working to raise awareness about her case both inside and outside the country. According to the June survey conducted by Institute of Social Studies and Analysis (ISSA), the local research organisation, 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% either had no answer or refused to respond. A few days before the verdict, several prominent Georgian figures voiced their support for the detained journalist, including veteran singer Nani Bregvadze, 99-year-old renowned linguist Mzekala Shanidze, and footballer Shota Arveladze. Following the arrest, Georgian Dream officials — including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze — promoted the theory that Amaghlobeli was acting on prior instructions as part of a plan to discredit the Georgian police. In May, Amaghlobeli's lawyers announced they would sue the prime minister for defamation over those claims.
