Georgian media manager Amaglobeli faces new charges amid ongoing detention

Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of the independent publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti, is facing fresh administrative charges from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with a court hearing scheduled for Wednesday in Batumi City Court. 

The development was reported by Batumelebi, which also noted that it remained unclear if Amaglobeli had been informed of the new case against her.

The case will be presided over by 32-year-old Judge Marianna Fomaeva, who has served as a judge since December 2024. According to the new administrative case, Amaglobeli is accused of pasting a sticker on an auxiliary building in front of the Batumi Police Department on January 11, 2025 - the same day she was initially arrested. The Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed this act "disfigured the appearance" of the building. The charge has been filed under Article 150, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

Amaglobeli’s legal troubles began on January 11, when she was first detained for allegedly placing the sticker. Although she was released shortly after, she was re-arrested the same day following an altercation with Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze, whom she allegedly slapped. This incident led to her being charged with "assaulting a police officer," a criminal offense punishable by four to seven years in prison.

Following her second arrest, Amaglobeli staged a 38-day hunger strike, during which she was briefly hospitalized on the 24th day but returned to prison after ending the strike.

On May 3, International Press Freedom Day, Amaglobeli released a message from prison, urging citizens to support journalists in exposing "those who have made corruption, injustice, and violence the norm" and who "rob, impoverish, and betray" the people.