Political advocates from PACE call for the immediate resolution of Mzia Amaglobeli's confinement, labeling her sentence as politically biased.
Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli Sentenced to Two Years in Prison in Georgia
Mzia Amaglobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist and co-founder of independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been sentenced to two years in prison following a court case related to an alleged altercation with a police chief during a crackdown on democratic protests in Batumi.
The case has been widely criticised as disproportionate and politically motivated. Amaglobeli's work, which has exposed government abuses, is seen as the reason behind the charges against her. This sentencing is perceived as part of a broader crackdown on independent media and democratic movements under the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Originally charged with "attacking a police officer," which carries a four- to seven-year sentence, the court reclassified her charge to "resistance, threat, or violence against a law enforcement officer," a lesser charge with a punishment ranging from fines, house arrest, or imprisonment for two to six years. The judge sentenced her to two years, with nearly seven months counted as time served.
The International Press Institute (IPI), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and other press freedom groups have denounced the verdict as an attack on press freedom and called for her immediate release and thorough investigation into her detention conditions.
The Council of Europe’s PACE co-rapporteurs have expressed concern that Amaglobeli’s sentencing reflects political abuse of the judicial process to intimidate and silence independent journalists in Georgia. They believe that such targeting undermines democracy and freedom of expression.
The co-rapporteurs have urged the authorities to release Mzia Amaglobeli immediately and to uphold Georgia's commitments as a Council of Europe member, particularly regarding freedom of expression and assembly. They plan to visit Georgia later this year as part of the monitoring process designed to help Georgia meet its membership obligations and accession commitments.
The sentencing of Mzia Amaglobeli has received condemnation from 24 diplomatic missions, although the nature of the condemnation was not specified. Ten Council of Europe member states are currently under full monitoring.
Amaglobeli's health and vision reportedly deteriorated severely during her pretrial detention. This sentencing has raised concerns about the state of press freedom and democratic rights in Georgia.
The sentencing of Mzia Amaglobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist, in a case deemed politically motivated and disproportionate, has sparked widespread criticism from press freedom groups, diplomatic missions, and the Council of Europe. This sentencing has raised concerns about the state of press freedom and democratic rights in Georgia, as it is perceived as part of a broader crackdown on independent media under the ruling Georgian Dream party.
The sentencing of Mzia Amaglobeli, a journalist who has exposed government abuses, has been denounced by international organizations such as the International Press Institute (IPI), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), among others, as an attack on press freedom and a threat to democracy and freedom of expression in Georgia.
