On the first anniversary of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli‘s sentencing, the Media Freedom Coalition, the European Union, and several Western embassies have renewed calls for her immediate and unconditional release, describing her imprisonment as politically motivated and disproportionate.
International coalition renews calls for Mzia Amaglobeli’s release one year after sentencing
A year after Georgian journalist and media manager Mzia Amaglobeli was sentenced to two years in prison, the Media Freedom Coalition and Western diplomatic missions have once again called on the Georgian authorities to release her immediately.
Marking the anniversary of the August 6, 2025 verdict, the Media Freedom Coalition — a partnership of more than 50 countries working to protect press freedom, ensure the safety of journalists, and promote accountability for attacks on the media — Issued a joint statement together with the embassies of its member states in Georgia.
“A year ago today, Mzia Amaglobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist, was sentenced to two years in prison. We remain concerned that her sentence is disproportionate and politicised and call again for her immediate release.”
The joint statement was published by the embassies of France, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Canada.
The Polish Embassy in Tbilisi issued a separate statement, saying:
“Exactly one year ago today, prominent Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli was sentenced to two years in prison. The Embassy of Poland in Tbilisi remains deeply concerned, as we consider the sentence disproportionate and politically motivated. We stand in solidarity with Mzia Amaglobeli and call on the Georgian authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally.“
The European Union Delegation to Georgia also marked the anniversary in a statement published on X.
“One year after Mzia Amaglobeli’s sentencing, the European Union condemns the disproportionate and politicised verdict against her and calls for her immediate release.“
One year since the verdict
August 6, 2026 marks exactly one year since Batumi City Court Judge Nino Sakhelashvili sentenced Amaglobeli — the founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti — to two years in prison.
Amaglobeli was prosecuted over an incident during a protest in Batumi in which she allegedly slapped Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze.
Although prosecutors initially charged her under Article 353¹ of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which concerns attacks on police officers (4 to 7 years in prison), the court reclassified the case under Article 353(1), relating to resistance against a police officer, when delivering the guilty verdict.
Arrest and ill-treatment
Amaglobeli was arrested on January 12, 2025, first under administrative procedures and later on criminal charges. Following her detention, she reported being subjected to inhuman treatment while in police custody. Despite these allegations, no effective investigation has been carried out by the Prosecutor’s Office.
Amaglobeli spent the entire period before her conviction in pre-trial detention, despite repeated requests from her defence team for her release on bail.
The court repeatedly rejected applications to change the measure of detention, including at a time when Amaglobeli’s health had severely deteriorated following a 38-day hunger strike. During the hunger strike, she became critically weakened and was transferred to hospital for medical treatment, yet she remained in custody.
Her seven-month trial at Batumi City Court unfolded amid repeated criticism from domestic and international observers. Proceedings were marked by testimony from police officers that the defence described as false, public attacks by leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream party, repeated statements undermining her presumption of innocence, and an extensive pro-government propaganda campaign surrounding the case.
During her imprisonment, Amaglobeli’s eyesight deteriorated significantly, leaving her with only around 10% vision in one eye and limited light perception in the other.
International support and legal proceedings
Amaglobeli’s case has become one of the most prominent press freedom cases in Europe, prompting sustained advocacy from leading international press freedom and human rights organisations, as well as Western governments.
The European Parliament has also called for her “immediate and unconditional release and the dropping of all politically motivated charges” in one of its resolutions on Georgia.
While in prison, Amaglobeli received several prestigious international awards. On December 16, 2025, she was awarded the Sakharov Prize, the European Union’s highest human rights honour, during a ceremony at the European Parliament.
In a letter sent from Rustavi Women’s Prison and read before Members of the European Parliament, she wrote:
“I accept this award on behalf of all political prisoners who are unjustly imprisoned and treated as ‘suspects’ simply for fighting for Georgia’s European future.”
Her case is currently pending before the European Court of Human Rights, where she is represented by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA).
