Azerbaijani journalist condemns Georgian Gov’t, calls for release of detained media figure

Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov on Friday made accusations against the Georgian government, calling it a “terrorist” regime acting “under the orders of an international dictator.” His remarks came as the trial of Georgian media figure Mzia Amaglobeli continues in Batumi City Court, western Georgia. 

Sadigov voiced his support for Amaglobeli, the founder of independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, and demanded her immediate release.

“We will support Mzia to the end,” Sadigov pledged. “The Georgian government is acting under the orders of an international dictator. They are terrorists, murderers. We want democracy in Georgia. We demand the release of Mzia and all political prisoners. The only way to success is solidarity.”

Amaglobeli was initially detained on January 11 for placing a sticker promoting a general strike against halted EU integration on the fence of the Adjara Police Department in Batumi. She was released shortly thereafter but was re-arrested on January 12 on criminal charges for slapping Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze.

incident occurred during a confrontation outside the police station, where tensions escalated between demonstrators and law enforcement. Amaglobeli's legal team contended that the police chief had verbally abused her and that her actions were a reaction to provocation. She was charged under Article 353 Prima of the Georgian Criminal Code, which pertains to assaulting a police officer and carries a potential prison sentence of four to seven years.

Despite her defense team's offer of a substantial bail amount, the Batumi City Court ordered her pre-trial detention, a decision upheld by the Kutaisi Court of Appeals.