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. …
Tag Archives: Mzia Amaglobeli
One Year Since Mzia Amaglobeli’s Verdict, International Community Renews Calls for Her Release
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 …
Empty Chair and 84 Postcards: Irish PEN Event Shows Solidarity with Imprisoned Georgian Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli
Members of an audience in Northern Ireland have written 84 postcards of support to imprisoned Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli in a powerful show of international solidarity. The postcards were written during Irish PEN’s annual Freedom to Write event at the John Hewitt International Summer School in Armagh, Northern Ireland on July 29, where an empty …
Freed Journalist Andrzej Poczobut Calls for Release of Fellow Sakharov Prize Laureate Mzia Amaglobeli
Belarusian journalist of Polish origin, Andrzej Poczobut, believes that receiving the European Union’s highest award influenced the decision to release him. In 2025, while still imprisoned, Poczobut was awarded the European Union’s top human rights award — the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought — jointly with Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of Netgazeti and Batumelebi.. “The …
Detained While Putting Up a Poster: Over A Year Later, Court of Appeal Orders Review of Amaglobeli’s First Arrest
On April 23, Batumi City Court was due to hear another case involving imprisoned Georgian journalist and Sakharov Prize laureate Mzia Amaglobeli, but the hearing was postponed until May 11. The case concerns an incident on January 11, 2025, when Amaglobeli placed a sticker on the fence of the Adjara Police Department building. She has …
Court Dismisses Yet Another Defamation Case Filed by Mzia Amaglobeli Against PM Irakli Kobakhidze
On April 24, Tbilisi City Court has terminated proceedings in yet another defamation lawsuit brought by journalist Mzia Amaglobeli against Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. The hearing was held in Kobakhidze’s absence, as neither he nor his legal representative attended court. The court was also informed that no written defence had been submitted, despite …
Early Release for Mzia Amaglobeli Denied Over “Unrepentant Attitude”
Cover Photo: Mzia Amaglobeli holding a handwritten poster that reads: “Don’t Stop! Don’t Register” (referring to registering as a foreign agent when receiving foreign grants) The Local Board of the Special Penitentiary Service reviewed Mzia Amaglobeli’s case for conditional early release (parole) and rejected it because she “still does not repent her actions.” The law …
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ECHR Registers Mzia Amaglobeli’s Application Over Degrading Treatment in Police Custody
The European Court of Human Rights has registered a third application submitted on behalf of Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of Batumelebi&Netgazeti, concerning ill-treatment that took place on January 12, 2025. The application was submitted by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA). It was submitted on March 4, 2026, and the ECHR registered the case within one …
მზია ამაღლობელის მიმართ ორჯერ მსჯავრდების აკრძალვის პრინციპი დაირღვა – სახალხო დამცველი
საქართველოს სახალხო დამცველის 2025 წლის ანგარიშის მიხედვით, რომელიც 2025 წელს ქვეყანაში ადამიანის უფლებათა მდგომარეობას აღწერს, კონსტიტუციითა და ევროპული კონვენციით ორჯერ მსჯავრდების აკრძალვის პრინციპი (non bis in idem) დაირღვა მზია ამაღლობელის მიმართ ადმინისტრაციული სამართალწარმოების პროცესში. „პოლიციელებმა მზია ამაღლობელი დააკავეს ასკ-ის 173-ე მუხლის პირველი ნაწილის საფუძველზე, იმ მოტივით, რომ 2025 წლის 11 იანვარს, ბათუმში, პოლიციის შესასვლელთან ფასადზე …
Georgia’s Supreme Court Rejects Appeal of Journalist and Sakharov Prize Laureate Mzia Amaglobeli
Georgia’s Supreme Court has declined to consider the appeal of Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder and director of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. Under Georgia’s legal system, a Supreme Court decision to declare an appeal inadmissible means the court will not review the merits or substance of the case, and the appellate court’s decision remains final. As a result, the …
“She Has No Expectations” – Mzia Amaglobeli’s Brother Comments After Meeting Her in Prison
“Mzia thanks everyone. She has no expectations and has no information whatsoever regarding a possible pardon… No one from the prison administration has visited her today or yesterday either. Due to the weather, she has not been able to watch television channels. Yesterday, only Formula was available until 7 p.m. Mzia is feeling well and …
Sakharov Prize Laureate Mzia Amaglobeli Convicted After Unfair Trial, CFJ’s TrialWatch Says
The trial and conviction of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli violated her right to a fair trial and constituted an abuse of process, the Clooney Foundation for Justice asserted in a new TrialWatch Fairness Report released today. Amaglobeli, who was arrested one year ago this week, is the co-founder of the independent Georgian media outlets Batumelebi …
ECHR Registers Second Application by Jailed Georgian Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli
The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), which represents the interests of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), has announced that the Court has registered a second application lodged on her behalf. This application concerns her administrative detention and the related proceedings. Sakharov Prize 2025 laureate and Georgia’s first female journalist …
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“A Legally Worthless Verdict”: Lawyers Challenge Mzia Amaglobeli’s Conviction at Supreme Court
The lawyers representing Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2025 laureate, imprisoned Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, have filed a cassation appeal with the Supreme Court of Georgia. The lawyers are challenging the decision of the Kutaisi Court of Appeal, which upheld the two-year prison sentence imposed on Mzia Amaglobeli by the Batumi City Court. In …
12 Judges Behind the Unlawful Imprisonment of Mzia Amaglobeli
For nearly a year, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli has remained behind bars, serving a two-year sentence for a single slap—an imprisonment widely regarded as politically motivated and unlawful. On 16 December 2025, she was awarded the Sakharov Prize, the European Union’s highest human rights honor. In addition to honoring Amaglobeli’s personal sacrifice and the broader struggle …
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Mzia Amaglobeli’s Address to the European Parliament: “Use All Available Mechanisms Before It Is Too Late”
On December 16, Mzia Amaglobeli was awarded the European Union’s highest human rights honor, the Sakharov Prize, in Strasbourg. She received this prestigious award jointly with Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, who is also imprisoned. The award was accepted on her behalf by Irma Dimitradze, a journalist from Batumelebi, who also read a letter from Mzia …
GYLA: After Months of Delays, Amaglobeli to Receive Eye Examinations at Clinic of Her Choice
The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) announces that, according to their information, Mzia Amaglobeli will undergo eye examinations this week at a clinic of her own choosing. “GYLA has learned that this week the prison administration plans to have Mzia Amaglobeli undergo eye examinations at the clinic she selected,” the organization writes. Mzia Amaglobeli — …
Public Defender Launches Inquiry as Mzia Amaglobeli’s Vision Reaches Alarming Condition
Following an appeal by the lawyers of Mzia Amaglobeli, the Public Defender’s Office has launched an investigation into whether adequate medical treatment is being provided to her in detention. Mzia Amaglobeli, an award-winning journalist, co-founder and director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been unlawfully imprisoned for almost 11 months. According to her lawyers, her eyesight …
“Mzia Amaglobeli Deprived of Necessary Medical Care in Detention” – GYLA Demands Immediate Intervention
“Mzia Amaglobeli’s vision has significantly worsened since she was placed in the penitentiary facility, reaching an alarming level. Despite numerous requests, she has not received the medical examinations needed to plan her treatment. To date, she has been unable to consult a doctor, which is essential for making informed decisions and organizing treatment to preserve …
Appellate Court Upholds Two-Year Prison Sentence for Mzia Amaglobeli
Today, November 18, the Kutaisi Court of Appeals upheld the Batumi City Court’s verdict sentencing Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison. The decision will be appealed to the Supreme Court of Georgia. On August 6, Batumi City Court judge Nino Sakhelashvili reclassified the charges. Amaglobeli was initially charged under Criminal Code of Geogria, Article 353¹ …
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“I’m not afraid of imprisonment, I am afraid of what I will find outside – will I find a country conquered by the Russia without a tank?!”
Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, laureate of Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, addressed panel of judges at the end of appellate hearing: “There is nothing to say, really, except to express my gratitude for this worthy defence. The defence speech that we heard today in this historic building, which is called the court, is the voice …
“I Demand Acquittal, Not Pardon”: Defence Concludes Five-Hour Closing Statement
At the Kutaisi Court of Appeal, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli’s lawyer Maia Mtsariashvili concluded her closing statement. At the end of her 5-hour speech, she addressed the judges – Nikoloz Margvelashvili, Nana Jokhadze and Marina Siradze. “Judges, The court of first instance saw and heard everything – it cannot be shown more clearly than we have …
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“When a Citizen Is a Prisoner of Conscience: Is Georgia a True Rule-of-Law State?” – Closing Statement of Amaglobeli’s Defence
At the appellate hearing of Mzia Amaglobeli, lawyer Maia Mtsariashvili described her client’s integrity, her lack of political or economic influence, and law-abiding life, stressing that given Amaglobeli is recognized as a prisoner of conscience, it is now the court’s responsibility to determine whether Georgia truly functions as a rule-of-law state. She stated: “Today, I …
“This Is a Case of Systemic Illegality and Violence”: Amaglobeli’s Defence Delivers Closing Statement at Appellate Court
“This is a case of systemic illegality, systemic violence. This is a case of police retaliation, a case of whitewashing the system’s unlawful actions. At the same time, it is a case of police revenge,” said Maia Mtsariashvili today, on November 18, during Mzia Amaglobeli’s ongoing hearing at the Kutaisi Court of Appeals. At this …
Another Application Concerning Violations of the Rights of Mzia Amaglobeli has been Lodged before the Strasbourg Court
One day before the final hearing in the appellate case of Georgia’s imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has announced that it is filing a new application with the ECHR on behalf of her. The application concerns Mzia Amaglobeli’s unlawful administrative arrest and the violations committed in the course of the …
“No ‘Deep State’ Found” – Nine Months Later, Phone Exam Shows No Evidence Against Mzia Amaglobeli
The second appellate hearing in the case of Georgia’s imprisoned journalist and 2025 Sakharov Prize laureate, Mzia Amaglobeli, took place on November 18 at the Kutaisi Court of Appeals. Both the Prosecutor’s Office, which is seeking to increase the charges and sentence against Mzia Amaglobeli, and Amaglobeli’s lawyers, who are requesting that the verdict against …
Key Points from Mzia Amaglobeli’s Appellate Court Hearing
On November 11, the Court of Appeals in Kutaisi began hearing the case of Mzia Amaglobeli. Her lawyers are appealing the verdict delivered on August 6 by Batumi City Court Judge Nino Sakhelashvili, which sentenced Amaglobeli to two years in prison. The defense is seeking her full acquittal. The prosecution has also appealed, demanding conviction …
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Mzia Amaglobeli: “This Case Has No Connection to Law or Justice — My Imprisonment Is a Political Decision of the Regime”
Mzia Amaglobeli, Georgia’s imprisoned journalist and Sakharov Prize laureate, founder of Netgazeti and Batumelebi, requested to speak at the Court of Appeals. “I want to wish resilience and victory to the society in resistance. I want to thank the audience here in the courtroom, as well as my fellow supporters outside and my family, for …
Georgian Dream Promotes Prosecutors Involved in Mzia Amaglobeli’s Politically Motivated Case
According to information provided to Batumelebi, the prosecutors handling Mzia Amaglobeli’s case have been promoted: Tornike Gogeshvili has been appointed Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Batumi, while Shota Chkhaidze has become Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Ozurgeti District. The Prosecutor’s Office press center did not respond to Batumelebi’s inquiry about these personnel changes on November 6. Several …
Freedom Behind Bars: EU Parliament Hears Call to Stand with Mzia Amaglobeli
On October 14 in Brussels, five Members of the European Parliament co-hosted a discussion titled “Freedom Behind Bars: Standing with Mzia Amaglobeli and Georgia’s Pro-Democracy Movement.” Following the opening remarks by the MEPs, the floor was given to Amaglobeli’s colleagues and her international lawyers. The event also featured addresses from Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, …
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Georgian Dream Targets Mzia Amaglobeli Again — This Time over World Press Freedom Hero Award
On October 10, the ruling Georgian Dream [GD] party held a special briefing devoted to journalist Mzia Amaglobeli receiving the 2025 IPI–IMS World Press Freedom Hero Award. During the briefing, GD once again spread disinformation about Amaglobeli’s case, distorting key facts. “The decision to give Mzia Amaglobeli this hero’s award is a continuation of the unfair …
Georgia’s First Woman Journalist Prisoner of Conscience, Mzia Amaglobeli, Wins Forum 2000 International Award
Mzia Amaglobeli, journalist, and founding CEO of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been named the recipient of this year’s Forum 2000 International Award for Courage and Responsibility. Forum 2000 is both a foundation and an annual conference held in Prague, Czech Republic. “This year, the award will be presented to the Georgian movement of resistance to …
The Mzia List: Emigrants Unite to Expose and Resist Georgia’s Repressive Regime
Georgian emigrants have launched a movement called Mzia, inspired by imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to unite all of today’s political prisoners under one symbol, strengthen resistance against the ruling regime, mobilize supporters at home and abroad, and create a unified agenda for freedom. The Mzia List is a key component of this effort. Koki Ionatamishvili …
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Defense Lawyers Appeal Two-Year Prison Verdict Against Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli
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 …
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24 Diplomatic Missions Call for Release of Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli After Sentencing
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 Sentences Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to 2 Years in Prison Despite International Outcry
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 …