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“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 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. …
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 …
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 …
