The Batumi City Court in western Georgia on Tuesday sentenced Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of the media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, to imprisonment as a preventive measure.
During the trial, the prosecution requested Amaglobeli’s imprisonment, while her defense sought bail set at 100,000 GEL. Amaglobeli, who was allowed to speak in court, declared that she had no intention of evading responsibility for her actions.
Amaglobeli faces charges under Article 353 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which pertains to assaulting a police officer.
The incident in question occurred during a protest near the main police department in Batumi last week, where Amaglobeli was initially detained under administrative law. She was released after about two hours, but was re-arrested shortly afterward at the police station.
Her detention has sparked widespread criticism, with media organizations and civil society groups calling it an attack on press freedom. The Media Ombudsman has requested a thorough investigation into the circumstances of her arrest, urging the Interior Ministry to release all detained individuals, including Amaglobeli.
Amaglobeli’s arrest came amid ongoing protests calling for fair and transparent parliamentary elections.
