We consider the August 6th ruling by Judge Nino Sakhelashvili against Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” to be unjust. We believe it is intended to make an example of a journalist and to intimidate those involved in the resistance movement.
The judge disregarded all evidence presented by the defense. The court requalified the “criminal act”, finding her guilty of resisting a police officer instead of assault.
Mzia Amaglobeli’s lawyer, Maia Mtsariashvili, offered this assessment of the verdict: “The entire government was engaged in a smear campaign against Mzia, and this was their attempt to save face. The verdict has no connection to the legal definition of the offense in Article 353. It’s clear this outcome is a result of a collective struggle, but it is not justice.”
During the protests that began on January 11th, Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested twice. She was first detained on an administrative charge on the night of the 11th for putting up a poster and was released the next day. Shortly after her release, she was arrested a second time on the night of January 12th in front of the Adjara Police Headquarters.
On the night spanning January 11-12, 2025, Mzia Amaglobeli slapped the Batumi Police Chief, Irakli Dgebuadze. This occurred after the police chief allegedly spat in her face and verbally abused her. Furthermore, on his orders, Mzia Amaglobeli was denied water and the use of the restroom.
As a form of protest, Mzia Amaglobeli held a 38-day hunger strike while incarcerated.
