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Tbilisi, 1 August 2025 – As the verdict in the trial of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli is expected today, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and 13 other media and human rights organizations have renewed calls for Georgian authorities to drop the criminal charge against her and facilitate her immediate release.
Amaglobeli, founder and director of the independent news outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been held in pre-trial detention since January on charges of assaulting a police officer—an offense that carries a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison. The charge has been widely condemned as politically motivated and disproportionate.
Symbol of Media Resilience
Amaglobeli’s arrest has drawn international attention, with press freedom advocates citing degrading treatment, smear campaigns, and economic retaliation against her and her media organizations. Her case has become emblematic of the broader crackdown on independent journalism under the ruling Georgian Dream party.
At a recent hearing, Amaglobeli testified about the humiliating conditions of her arrest and reaffirmed her commitment to press freedom. Observers, including diplomats from eight European countries and the EU delegation, attended the proceedings, underscoring the case’s international significance.
Broader Democratic Concerns
The trial comes amid growing concerns over Georgia’s democratic trajectory, including mass protests against the suspension of EU accession talks and increasing restrictions on civil society. CPJ and the Media Advocacy Coalition of Georgia have submitted a joint report to the UN Human Rights Council ahead of the 51st Universal Periodic Review session, highlighting deteriorating conditions for journalists and media outlets in the country.
International Appeal
In a joint statement, press freedom organizations urged Georgian authorities to uphold democratic principles and press freedom by dropping the charges and releasing Amaglobeli. They emphasized that her continued detention undermines Georgia’s international commitments and erodes public trust in the rule of law.
