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February 13, 2025 – Georgia –
Mzia Amaghlobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist and founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has become a symbol of resistance against the Georgian government’s increasing authoritarianism. On January 12, 2025, Amaghlobeli was arrested during an anti-government protest in Batumi, initially for placing a sticker calling for a national strike. She was later rearrested and charged with assaulting a police officer after slapping Batumi’s police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze, in response to alleged verbal abuse. The charge carries a potential prison sentence of 4 to 7 years.
In protest of her detention, Amaghlobeli initiated a hunger strike, which lasted 38 days, drawing widespread concern for her health. She concluded the strike on February 18, 2025, citing public pressure and personal reasons, including the recent deaths of two children in Batumi.
Amaghlobeli’s arrest and subsequent hunger strike have garnered international attention, with numerous human rights organizations and foreign governments condemning her detention as politically motivated and a direct attack on press freedom. The European Union and the Council of Europe have called for her immediate release, emphasizing the importance of a free and independent media in Georgia’s democratic development.
Her case highlights the broader crackdown on dissent in Georgia, where journalists, opposition leaders, and activists have faced increasing repression. The government’s actions have drawn comparisons to tactics employed by authoritarian regimes, raising concerns about Georgia’s commitment to democratic values and its aspirations for European integration.
Amaghlobeli’s unwavering stance and the international outcry surrounding her case underscore the critical role of a free press in holding power accountable and safeguarding democratic principles.
Reference –
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp82d5k474yo
https://www.dw.com/en/georgia-journalists-under-attack-press/a-71370976
https://www.voanews.com/a/jailed-georgian-journalist-i-will-not-bow-to-this-regime-/7974348.html
