Lawyers condemn court ruling in media manager’s case as “unprecedented”

Lawyers representing Mzia Amaglobeli have strongly criticized the Batumi City Court’s decision to uphold her detention, calling it an “unprecedented” move that deprives her of the right to defend herself.

The court’s ruling, delivered on Tuesday, has sparked concerns about the fairness of the legal process.

In a statement, Amaglobeli’s legal team—including the Georgian Young Lawyers Association, law firm BLB, and attorneys Razhden Khimshiashvili and Kakha Tsereteli—asserted that the court had “demonstrably” stripped their client of the ability to present a defense.

The ruling removed 17 witnesses, 18 video recordings, 13 inspection reports, and 14 written documents from the defense’s case, a decision lawyers say leaves Amaglobeli unable to prove her innocence.

“The court has not only failed to uphold her right to a fair trial but has actively undermined it,” said lawyer Maia Mtsariashvili, arguing that the prosecution had failed to present substantive evidence to justify her continued detention.

Amaglobeli, who is accused of planning to “attack a police officer” through alleged communication with others, remains in custody. Her legal team disputes the basis of the charge, suggesting that authorities may be seeking access to her phone to obtain sensitive information about her work.