On August 6, 2026, the day marking one year since Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli was sentenced to two years in prison, Polish-Belarusian journalist and 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought laureate Andrzej Poczobut voiced his solidarity with her and called for freedom for all those persecuted for defending democracy and human rights in Georgia.
“A year ago, a court in Georgia sentenced the renowned Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison. She has since become one of the symbols of the struggle for freedom of speech and democracy in Georgia.
Today, Mzia remains behind bars.
In 2025, she and I were both awarded the Sakharov Prize by the European Parliament. When I learned about the award while I was still in prison, I thought that Mzia would be the first to regain her freedom, based on the lengths of our respective sentences, and that after her release she would be the one saying, “Freedom for Andrzej Poczobut.”
But things turned out differently.
That is why, when I accepted the award and addressed the European Parliament, I said: “Freedom for Mzia Amaglobeli.”
Today, on the anniversary of her sentencing, I repeat: Freedom for Mzia Amaglobeli! Freedom for this brave and courageous woman! Freedom for everyone fighting for freedom and democracy in Georgia!” Poczobut wrote in Facebook post.
Poczobut and Amaglobeli were named joint laureates of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the European Union’s highest human rights award, while both journalists were imprisoned for their work. Their recognition highlighted the risks faced by independent journalists and human rights defenders who continue their work despite political persecution and imprisonment.
Poczobut’s message came as Amaglobeli marked more than a year behind bars. The founder of the independent Georgian media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti was arrested on January 12, 2025, and sentenced by Batumi City Court on August 6, 2025. Her case has drawn international condemnation, with press freedom organisations and democratic governments describing the verdict as disproportionate and politically motivated and repeatedly calling for her immediate and unconditional release.
Poczobut himself spent more than four years imprisoned in Belarus after his arrest in March 2021 and a subsequent eight-year prison sentence on charges widely condemned by international organisations as politically motivated. He was released on June 26, 2025, as part of a diplomatic effort that also led to the release of other political prisoners in Belarus.
Following his release, Poczobut has continued to speak out in support of journalists and activists facing repression. His message of solidarity with Amaglobeli comes amid growing international concern over the treatment of independent media and civil society in Georgia.
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).
