Zurabishvili, the former Georgian president, attends the court trial of Amaglobeili in Batumi City Court.
In the heart of Georgia, a legal battle unfolds as Mzia Amaglobeli, a renowned journalist and media manager, stands trial on charges of assaulting a police officer. This case, widely regarded as politically motivated by press freedom and human rights organizations, has sparked concern among media advocates, civil society, and opposition figures[1][2].
Amaglobeli, the founder of Netgazeti and Batumelebi, has been detained since January 2025, facing a potential prison sentence of up to seven years[1][2]. Her arrest and prosecution are seen as part of a broader campaign by the ruling Georgian Dream party to suppress independent media critical of the government.
During her detention, Amaglobeli's health, particularly her eyesight, has significantly deteriorated due to the denial of adequate healthcare[1][4]. In addition to her personal legal battle, her media outlets have faced severe economic retaliation, including the seizure of their bank accounts over disputed tax arrears—actions interpreted as attempts to undermine their financial viability and silence dissenting media voices[1][2].
The alleged assault occurred on January 11, during a protest near the Batumi Police Department. Amaglobeli was briefly detained and re-arrested following the incident[3]. She has declined to request leniency in court, facing the possibility of imprisonment despite international calls for her release and an end to the politically charged prosecution[5].
The Batumi City Court is holding the final hearing in the criminal case against Amaglobeli. Today, the defense will present their closing arguments[3]. Supporters of Amaglobeli are holding a peaceful protest outside the courthouse, demanding justice.
Georgia's fifth President, Salome Zurabishvili, has expressed support for Amaglobeli, referring to her as "a symbol of Georgia" and condemning the case as politically motivated[6]. Zurabishvili believes that a verdict against Amaglobeli would be a verdict against all those complicit in the injustice. She attended the hearing in support of Amaglobeli, expressing hope that justice will prevail, but has little faith in it[6].
This case highlights ongoing concerns over press freedom in Georgia, with the government accused of using judicial and financial pressures to intimidate journalists and curtail independent media critical of its policies[1][2]. The international community and press freedom organizations have strongly condemned the criminal charges and investigative actions against Amaglobeli and her media outlets as excessive and politically motivated repression.
- The legal battle faced by Mzia Amaglobeli, a media manager and journalist known for running Netgazeti and Batumelebi, extends beyond her personal case to encompass a broader struggle against political motivated repression, intertwining politics, general news, and crime and justice.
- The ongoing trial of Amaglobeli highlights the interconnectedness of press freedom concerns and the wider context of political events in Georgia, raising issues not only of crime and justice but also of the role of media in general news and its subsequent impact on civil society.
