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Today, September 4, the lawyers of journalist and founding CEO of independent Georgian online media outlets Batumelebi.ge and Netgazeti.ge, Mzia Amaglobeli filed an appeal with the Criminal Cases Chamber of the Kutaisi Court of Appeals. Mzia Amaglobeli’s lawyers are challenging the verdict delivered on August 6 by the Batumi City Court, which sentenced her to …
Continue reading “Defense Lawyers Appeal Two-Year Prison Verdict Against Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli”
In the so-called “face masks’ case,” on September 3, former director of ISFED, Nino Dolidze, is testifying before a magistrate judge. According to Dolidze, ISFED has never purchased anything for protests, and the face masks cited in the case brought against them under the investigation into “sabotage against the state” had in fact been bought …
The General Prosecutor’s Office is summoning the heads of civil society organizations for questioning as witnesses in the so-called “face masks” case over alleged sabotage against the state. “As the public is aware, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia is conducting an investigation into sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances, assisting foreign organizations or organizations under …
The total number of prisoners of conscience has exceeded 60 in Georgia. But behind the numbers are specific names, and behind those names lie distinct pasts and futures. Some are accused of group violence, including organized acts; some of attacking law enforcement officers; some of damaging surveillance cameras; and politicians of showing disrespect to Tea …
Continue reading “From Siberia to the “Georgian Dream’s” Prison — The Case of Anton Chechin”
Georgian Dream–appointed President Mikheil Kavelashvili addresses US President Donald Trump: Open Letter To the President of the United States of America, His Excellency Mr. Donald Trump First of all, I would like once again to express my deep respect for you as the leader chosen by the American people. I also wish to reiterate my …
After the Georgian court froze the bank accounts of seven Civil Society Organizations (CSO/NGO), the ruling party’s propaganda channel, TV Imedi, attempted to portray these organizations as engaged in “state sabotage.” The channel aired documents showing that the CSOs had purchased respirators, protective goggles and other protective items worth 8,700GEL [approximately $3,230]. In a press …
“Despite Asset Freezes and Repressions, Georgian NGOs Will Continue Our Work,” – said representatives of civil society organizations whose accounts have been frozen by the authorities. Today, seven civil society organizations held a joint briefing and stated: “The asset freeze of seven independent organizations represents yet another illegal act by Ivanishvili’s government. It violates fundamental …
The decision by Tbilisi City Court to freeze the bank accounts of seven civil society organizations has drawn sharp reactions from rights groups and public figures, who warn the move threatens Georgia’s democracy and relations with the EU. According to Tamta Mikeladze, head of the civil society organization Social Justice Center, freezing the accounts of …
The Tbilisi City Court granted the Prosecutor’s Office’s motion and ordered the freezing of the bank accounts of seven civil society organizations. By the court’s decision, the accounts of the following organizations were frozen: the Civil Society Foundation, the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information, …
Prisoner of conscience Archil Museliantsi, who was arrested in connection with pro-European rallies and has reported police abuse and a forced confession, was sentenced to four years in prison. The decision was handed down by Judge Giorgi Arevadze. Notably, while in pre-trial detention, Museliantsi took the Unified National Exams and was admitted to a four-year …
Continue reading “Museliantsi Given Four Years Following Claims of Beatings and Forced Confession”
At today’s hearing, the court reviewed a motion to reconsider the preventive measure in the case of poet Zviad Ratiani. The defense sought his release on 10,000 GEL bail, while the prosecution requested he remain in custody. Judge Lela Kalichenko sided with the prosecution, ruling to keep Ratiani in pretrial detention. “It was the least …
“A statement that the war was started by Georgia — no matter how bad a ruler Georgia had at the time, that ruler still represented Georgia — directly harms Georgia’s territorial integrity and the hope that one day it might be restored. This is a betrayal of the country’s interests, regardless of the fact that …
Veteran soldier and prisoner of conscience Anatoli Gigauri has been sentenced to two years in prison. The verdict was delivered by Judge Jvebe Nachkebia. The judge altered the charges against Gigauri in the same way as in the case of conscience prisoner and journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, who was also sentenced to two years in prison. …
Georgian Dream’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accuses Georgia of starting the August 2008 Russia-Georgia War. On the 17th anniversary of the August 2008 War, Georgian Dream-appointed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the war an “adventure” by Georgia’s previous government and claimed that the Georgian side was not carrying out a defensive operation, but offensive actions. …
August 7 marks 17 years since Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008 Today, Georgian opposition leaders, international diplomatic missions, civil society activists, and members of the public honoured the memory of the fallen heroes and civilians who lost their lives due to the Russian occupation. Georgian Dream did not. Another date often associated with the …
On August 6, Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili acquitted Giorgi Akhobadze, a doctor and prisoner of conscience charged with drug-related offenses, and ordered his immediate release from the courtroom. Akhobadze was accused of purchasing and possessing a particularly large quantity of narcotics — a charge that carried a sentence of 8 to 20 years, or even life …
Following the sentencing of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison on what are widely viewed as politically motivated charges, 24 diplomatic missions issued a joint statement calling for her release. We the diplomatic missions of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, …
Judge Nino Sakhelashvili has sentenced journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to 2 years in prison, ignoring widespread calls from local and international human rights and press freedom organizations to release her and end what they describe as politically motivated prosecution tied to her journalism. In accordance with the ruling, the time Mzia Amaglobeli has spent in pre-trial …
“It is my honor to represent Ms. Mzia Amaglobeli in this trial,” stated Mzia Amaglobeli’s attorney, Maia Mtsariashvili, on August 1st in Batumi City Court. Before presenting the legal arguments of the defense, she began by explaining to the court who Mzia Amaglobeli is and what her work entails. Batumelebi presents a slightly abridged transcript …
Continue reading “Telling the Court Who Mzia Amaglobeli Is — Closing Statement of the Defense”
On August 1, 2025 Maia Mtsariashvili, the lead defense lawyer in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case, delivered an almost eight-hour-long closing statement. She began by emphasizing the political nature of the case, saying it had placed her in an unusual position — more as a human rights defender than simply a lawyer. Mtsariashvili opened her remarks by …
“The activation of the U.S. is particularly important for Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and, more broadly, for the South Caucasus,” says Olesya Vartanyan, an analyst on South Caucasus affairs, assessing Washington’s initiative to improve relations between Baku and Yerevan. The U.S. administration has already offered to assist Baku and Yerevan in negotiations concerning transportation issues. Around three …
“Direct flights from St. Petersburg to Sokhumi to begin on August 14”, reports the Abkhaz news agency Apsnypress. According to the agency, until now, traveling from Russia’s “northern capital” to Sokhumi was only possible with layovers. The first direct flights are scheduled for August 14 and 20, operated by the airline iFly using Airbus A330 …
Continue reading “Direct Flights from St. Petersburg to Occupied Sokhumi Set to Begin August 14”
The Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia confirms that Russian fuel was brought into the country by ship but states that neither the vessel nor the cargo is subject to international sanctions. The information that a ship imported Russian fuel into Georgia was initially shared by one of the leaders of the …
The Clooney Foundation for Justice, co-founded by human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and actor George Clooney, which has been monitoring the trial of Batumelebi/Netgazeti founding CEO Mzia Amaglobeli, has issued a statement. The foundation expresses concern over the charges brought against Mzia Amaglobeli and the way the proceedings were conducted. “The trial of Georgian journalist …
On August 4, Mzia Amaglobeli delivered her final statement before the court. The verdict will be announced on August 6 at 2:00 PM. Mzia Amaglobeli’s statement in full: I am glad to see our friends, family, and supporters again, though I also feel uneasy that you had to come to the courtroom once more. I …
Continue reading ““Do Not Lose Hope! I Believe in You’ — Mzia Amaglobeli’s Final Statement in Court”
Today, on August 4, at the Batumi City Court, before Mzia Amaglobeli delivered her final statement, her lawyer, Maia Mtsariashvili, submitted the latest results of a medical examination concerning Mzia Amaglobeli’s eyesight. “I would like to submit this as a notice to the court.This is the most recent eye examination from the past few days. …
Teacher and activist Nino Datashvili has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation at the request of the Prosecutor’s Office and by decision of the court, according to her legal team from the human rights organization PHR. Under the court ruling, Datashvili will be forcibly transferred to a psychiatric facility if she refuses to comply. …
The fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, has responded on Facebook to the final court hearing of Mzia Amaglobeli, which will be held on August 1 at the Batumi City Court. Salome Zourabichvili writes that this will be a decisive day. Batumelebi offers Salome Zourabichvili’s Facebook post in full, without changes: “August 1 will be …
“There is no ‘deep state’ controlling Western governments. It simply doesn’t exist,” said UK Ambassador to Georgia Gareth Ward, addressing the Georgian Dream’s frequent narrative used to discredit Western partners and dismiss their concerns — from calls for the release of political prisoners to demands for accountability over police brutality during protests, and more. When …
28 Georgian Diaspora Organizations and Emigrant Unions Issue Joint Statement on Mzia Amaglobeli’s Case. Batumelebi presents the complete statement without edits: “In the coming days, the so-called court of Georgian Dream plans to issue a verdict against Mzia Amaglobeli. By doing so, the regime will essentially be signing its sentence as well. We, the diaspora …
“Azerbaijan is not a “bite-sized target” for Russia — there’s the Turkey factor,” says expert on Turkey Kamran Osmanli, who believes that if Russia finds time for military provocations in the South Caucasus, it will be met by an already active Turkey in the region. Armenia and Azerbaijan have turned their backs on Russia in …
Blog / Ninia Kakabadze / Mediachecker / July 21, 2025 _______________ It’s impossible to be part of today’s resistance in Georgia without asking yourself, “What if I’m arrested? How will I get through it? How will I remain true to myself?” Each time these thoughts cross my mind, I find myself thinking of Mzia Amaglobeli …
The Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance has expressed its readiness to lift the seizure of Gazeti Batumelebi’s (Batumelebi & Netgazeti) accounts and allow the organization to repay its debt in installments, contingent upon reaching a tax agreement. However, as of now [July 22, 20:20], no formal communication has been established between the agency …
The Revenue Service has seized Batumelebi/Netgazeti’s bank accounts. The official reason is outstanding tax debt. The real motive, however, appears to be an attempt to shut down the media organization. More than that – it is direct pressure on Mzia Amaglobeli to make her give up. In just a few days, Judge Nino Sakhelashvili is …
The Georgian Dream party is processing the sensitive personal data of tens of thousands of individuals in its offices in the lead-up to the elections. This is confirmed by documents obtained by Batumelebi from a well-informed source. Examples of the data collected include: Are you struggling with drug addiction or health issues? What is your …
“They employed their voters and made 150 men cleaners in just four villages alone. It’s like a rally if you think about it,” says Shalva Kobuladze, with a hint of irony. We to him him in the small village of Zvare in Keda, where he shared insights into the employment of socially vulnerable individuals, a …
