Mzia Amaglobeli: This Judgment isn't only my retribution - it's a shared one with you
Controversial Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli Convicted for Assaulting Police Officer
In a case that has sparked controversy and raised concerns about press freedom in Georgia, Mzia Amaglobeli, a prominent journalist and founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was convicted for assaulting a police officer during a crackdown on democratic protests in Batumi on January 12, 2025.
The ruling Georgian Dream party has accused Amaglobeli of acting on behalf of foreign powers to undermine her credibility. However, Amaglobeli's responses and the context of the case strongly contest these accusations.
During her trial, Amaglobeli testified about abusive, humiliating, and dehumanizing treatment during her arrest, including sexualized insults by police that led to her slapping a police chief in self-defense. Her lawyers have appealed the verdict, arguing that the charges are politically motivated, excessive, and part of a crackdown on press freedom.
International advocacy groups and organizations like IPI, Amnesty International, CPJ, and EU representatives have condemned the charges and sentence, emphasizing that the case is a significant attack on freedom of the press and independent journalism in Georgia. Amaglobeli is recognized as a prisoner of conscience and the first female journalist jailed in Georgia since independence in 1991.
Amaglobeli has not shied away from criticizing the authorities. During her final court hearing, she addressed Irakli Kobakhidze, a prominent politician, accusing him of damaging the dignity of law enforcement by ignoring violence against citizens. She used the examples of Rogava and Chikhladze, two cases of alleged police brutality, to illustrate her point.
Amaglobeli also accused the 'deep state' of humiliating the police. She stated that it is the police who are humiliating themselves, not the 'deep state'. She further claimed that the verdict will professionally stain every prosecutor and official involved in her case.
The case against Amaglobeli is not isolated. She is currently facing accusations from members of the ruling party, with some claiming that she is an agent and that she has been trained to slap people. Amaglobeli has denied these allegations, stating that they are part of a broader campaign to discredit her and pressure the independent media outlets she is connected with.
As the case unfolds, the international community continues to watch closely, with many expressing concern about the state of press freedom in Georgia under the ruling Georgian Dream party. The verdict and the subsequent appeals will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of journalism in the country.
[1] Human Rights Watch, "Georgia: Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli Convicted for Assaulting Police Officer," 2025, https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/03/18/georgia-journalist-mzia-amaglobeli-convicted-assaulting-police-officer
[2] Reporters Without Borders, "Georgia: Mzia Amaglobeli's trial begins," 2025, https://rsf.org/en/news/georgia-mzia-amaglobelis-trial-begins
[3] Committee to Protect Journalists, "Georgia: Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli convicted on assault charge," 2025, https://cpj.org/2025/03/georgia-journalist-mzia-amaglobeli-convicted-on-assault-charge.php
[4] Amnesty International, "Georgia: Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli sentenced to two years in prison," 2025, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/03/georgia-journalist-mzia-amaglobeli-sentenced-to-two-years-in-prison/
[5] Index on Censorship, "Georgia: Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli sentenced to two years in prison," 2025, https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/03/georgia-journalist-mzia-amaglobeli-sentenced-to-two-years-in-prison/
- The case against Mzia Amaglobeli, a convicted journalist, has led to discussions within policy-and-legislation circles, with concerns being raised about its implications for general-news reporting and freedom of the press in Georgia.
- The conviction of Mzia Amaglobeli, a prominent journalist, has sparked a political storm, with international advocacy groups and organizations like IPI, Amnesty International, CPJ, and EU representatives criticizing the ruling as a significant attack on press freedom.
