Latest news with #MziaAmaglobeli
Civil.ge
5 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:
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Georgia jails journalist Amaglobeli for slapping police chief
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox TBILISI - A Georgian court on Wednesday sentenced journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison for slapping a police chief in a case seen by activists as symbolic of diminishing freedoms in the South Caucasus country. Amaglobeli, a founder of two independent media outlets, was convicted by a court in Batumi, Georgia's second city, for slapping the official during a protest in October. A video of the incident, published by Georgian media, shows her engaged in heated conversation with the police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze, before slapping him lightly across the face. Her defenders say it was not serious enough to constitute assault under Georgian law. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called the sentence "outrageous". In court this week, Amaglobeli called the charges "malicious" and "insulting", according to Georgian media. Unexpectedly, the judge on Wednesday downgraded the charge from assaulting a police officer to using violence against a protector of public order, which carries a lighter sentence. Georgia, previously one of the Soviet Union's most democratic successor states after winning independence in 1991, has been roiled by more than a year of protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party, which critics say is steering the country in an authoritarian and pro-Russian direction. Amaglobeli's allies say her treatment contrasts with the failure to prosecute those behind a violent crackdown on protesters last year. A joint statement by 24 Western diplomatic missions including European Union countries, Canada and Britain condemned Amaglobeli's sentencing and the "escalating intimidation of journalists". Among those present in the courtroom were diplomats from the European Union and Germany, France and Poland, as well as former Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, a critic of the ruling party. Georgians have taken to the streets nightly since November to voice opposition to a government decision to halt accession talks to the European Union, a reversal of a longstanding national goal in the country of 3.7 million. The protests have shrunk in size in recent months and most of the country's prominent opposition leaders have been jailed for refusing to appear in front of a parliamentary commission they have dismissed as a front for pro-government propaganda. REUTERS
Civil.ge
6 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…
JAMnews
01-07-2025
- Politics
- JAMnews
IPI urges the EU to protect journalists in Georgia
IPI urges the EU to protect journalists in Georgia The International Press Institute (IPI) issued a statement on the growing pressure the Georgian government is placing on the media, urging the international community to take immediate and effective action against the ruling party, Georgian Dream. The statement highlights the worsening health of detained journalist Mzia Amaglobeli and notes that the Georgian Dream government has adopted new legislative amendments concerning defamation and bans on media filming inside and outside courtrooms. According to IPI, these amendments pose a threat to the foundations of independent journalism in Georgia, as independent media have extensively covered trials of individuals arrested for their political views. IPI's statement Each day, Georgia moves closer to becoming a fully consolidated authoritarian regime, as the ruling Georgian Dream party intensifies its efforts to erode democracy and silence independent voices. The adoption of repressive, undemocratic and illiberal legislation, along with widespread political persecution, is unfolding at an unprecedented scale in Georgia-an EU candidate country once widely considered as a beacon of democracy in the South Caucasus. These amendments erode fundamental legal protections for journalism by eliminating source confidentiality, fostering self-censorship, and obstructing investigative reporting. These combined changes threaten the very foundations of independent journalism in Georgia. Mzia Amaglobeli's health has further deteriorated in prison. Medical examinations revealed a sharp decline: vision in her right eye had dropped from 30% to 10%, while her left eye retained only about 4% vision. An outspoken regime critic, Amaglobeli faces charges of assaulting a police officer – carrying up to seven years in prison – following an altercation with Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze. Amaglobeli's arrest is widely viewed as retaliation for her journalistic work. Media workers have been beaten, harassed, detained, jailed, smeared, fined and still continued their work. Amid explicit hostility and a climate of fear, independent journalism is increasingly unlikely to survive in Georgia. The erosion of civil liberties at an extraordinary pace in Georgia also poses a serious threat to democracy in the region, where far-right and populism are on the rise and illiberal and authoritarian regimes are increasingly gaining ground. We renew our call on the European Union and its member states to step up pressure on Georgia and stem the rapid descent into authoritarianism. The effective pressure must be applied to not only the Georgian Dream officials but every decision maker as well as judges, responsible for this crackdown on media, capture of the public broadcaster and ongoing impunity for crimes against journalists. We also renew our call on the GD party to repeal repressive laws, including the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and recent amendments to the Law on Broadcasting and the Law on Grants. We further urge the Georgian Dream-led parliament to withdraw the recently adopted amendments to the Law on Freedom of Expression, as well as the amendments restricting media coverage of court proceedings. We reiterate our call for the release of unjustly jailed veteran Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, who has become a symbol of the resilience of Georgian media.' The law on the registration of foreign agents, an exact copy of the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), was passed by the Georgian Dream-controlled parliament on April 1, 2025, and came into force on May 31. Authorities claim its purpose is to limit foreign interference in the country's affairs and in the work of state institutions. The law introduces a broad definition of 'foreign agent,' applying to any legal or natural person receiving funds from abroad and engaging in civic, political, or informational activities. Such individuals or organizations are required to register; failure to comply is punishable by fines and imprisonment of up to five years. Independent legal experts confirm that while the text closely mirrors the U.S. FARA, its purpose has been entirely altered. In the United States, FARA is deliberately not applied to NGOs, media, or organizations serving the public interest. In addition, in April 2025, Georgia's parliament passed a law banning the issuance or receipt of foreign grants without official approval from the Georgian government. News in Georgia
Voice of America
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
Jailed Georgian journalist: 'I will not bow to this regime'
"I will not bow to this regime," writes Mzia Amaglobeli from pre-trial detention in the city of Batumi in Georgia. The 49-year-old journalist has been in custody since January 11 and on a hunger strike since January 12 over her detention. Amaglobeli was attending a protest where demonstrations were calling for fresh elections and objecting to the government's suspension of Georgia's EU accession plans. At first, police detained Amaglobeli for putting a sticker on a wall. She was released, only to be arrested later that day for slapping a police officer. Georgia's prime minister and other government officials have said that Amaglobeli should end her hunger strike and apologize for her actions. But media watchdogs believe her arrest is connected to her journalism. Journalist previously threatened Amaglobeli is the founder of the websites Batumelebi and Netgazeti, which focus on political news, investigations and corruption. Both Amaglobeli and her media group have come under pressure and threats previously for their work. Amaglobeli's health has declined after being on a hunger strike for a month, and she is being held in a private clinic under a doctor's supervision, but she remains in custody. Nestan Tsetskhladze, a friend and colleague, told VOA that the journalist plans to remain on her hunger strike until March 4, when she is due to appear in court. "She is on hunger strike in protest, to show that she won't tolerate this regime," Tsetskhladze told VOA. "She is not going to live by this regime's agenda. That is her goal." Amaglobeli has also written of her position in a letter last month to colleagues that was shared with media. "Today it is me, tomorrow it could be anyone who dares to dream of a just, democratic European Georgia, untouched by Russian influence, unshaken by oppression," wrote Amaglobeli. "I will not bow to this regime. I will not play by its rules." Hundreds arrested The journalist is one of hundreds of people to be arrested since parliamentary elections in October resulted in nationwide protests. The country's ruling Georgian Dream party officially won the election with around 54% of the vote, but the results were challenged by then-President Salome Zourabichvili and opposition parties, who claimed the elections were rigged. Observers, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said there were reports of voter irregularities. At the time, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, a member of Georgian Dream, called on Zourabichvili to turn over any evidence of rigging to authorities. He said he believed she did not have such evidence. A fresh wave of protests started on November 28, when Kobakhidze announced a suspension of all negotiations with the European Union on Georgia's EU accession until 2028. Police have responded to the protests with force, using water cannons against demonstrators, hundreds of whom have been detained, beaten and treated inhumanely, according to Transparency International Georgia. In Amaglobeli's case, the journalist's legal team says she was mistreated after her second arrest. They say that the police officer whom she slapped was trying to physically abuse her, that he spat in her face and did not let her use the restroom for several hours. Additionally, lawyers were not allowed to see the journalist for three hours. Amaglobeli faces charges of assaulting a police officer. If found guilty, she could face up to seven years in prison. Transparency International Georgia has said a video of the interaction shows the slap "lacked sufficient force to cause harm," and doesn't meet the standard for a formal charge. Gulnoza Said of the Committee to Protect Journalists told VOA that it is a "very serious press freedom violation that she is in detention." Rachel Denber, deputy director of the Human Rights Watch Europe and Central Asia division, said that, so far, no investigations have taken place into cases of riot police using excessive force or alleged mistreatment of protesters in custody. "Suddenly, this is where the authorities are putting all of their time and resources and vigor — to punish one person who is a journalist and who has a record of being outspoken," Denber told VOA. Tsetskhladze, the journalist's friend, believes the government's treatment of Amaglobeli is meant to be a warning for other independent media outlets and journalists in Georgia. "They are punishing not only Mzia, who slapped a police officer, but also the media outlets she funded, the media in general, journalists and all critical, free people in this country," he told VOA. At least 50 journalists have been attacked, obstructed and beaten during the protests. Some were hospitalized and their equipment was damaged, according to the Mapping Media Freedom platform. This story originated in VOA's Georgian Service.
