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3w ago

Batumi Court Sentences Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli to Two-Year Prison Term

Authorities froze her outlets’ bank accounts, leaving independent media on the brink of collapse.

FILE - Protesters hold banners calling for the release of jailed journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli as they march through the streets in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze, File)
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Several thousand demonstrators gather in front of the Georgian Public Broadcasting (GPB) building, block the avenue, and demonstrate all the way to the Parliament. They ask for the release of regime's prisoners and of Mzia Amaglobeli, who is on a hunger strike for 19 days. A protest against the Georgian government's postponement of European Union accession talks until 2028 takes place for the 63rd consecutive day in Tbilisi, Georgia, on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Overview

  • The Batumi City Court found Amaghlobeli guilty of "resisting, threatening or using violence" after she allegedly slapped Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze during a peaceful protest, reducing her initial assault charge and imposing a two-year sentence.
  • Observers including Amnesty International criticized the trial for procedural violations, court bias and refusal to admit key defense evidence.
  • Police testimony acknowledged that Amaghlobeli was verbally abused, spat on, injured and denied medical care in detention, fueling concerns over her health.
  • Georgian tax authorities froze the bank accounts of her outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, putting independent media operations at risk of collapse.
  • Diplomatic missions from 23 countries and press freedom organizations have condemned the verdict, called for an independent review and urged restoration of media freedoms as she prepares to appeal.