Ruling Party MP defends legal complaint in case of arrested media manager Amaglobeli

Ruling party lawmaker Mariam Lashkhi has defended a complaint that led to the arrest of media manager Mzia Amaglobeli, saying the case concerned “respect for institutions” rather than the physical act of slapping a police official during a pro-European protest last year. 

Speaking during a session of the Parliament’s Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee on Monday, Lashkhi responded to criticism from opposition MP Sopho Khorguani of the For Georgia party, who questioned the proportionality of the criminal prosecution.

“This was not about the slap [of a police official] itself - not about pain or redness - but about the attitude toward an institution,” Lashkhi said. “That is why accountability follows. Our political leaders have never failed to maintain composure and restraint, not once or a thousand times.”

Lashkhi said she had also filed a complaint against civil activists [who she said had insulted her while with her minor children] not only to defend her own family but to prevent such behavior from being “normalized” by activists.

“By submitting this complaint, I protected not only my children but others as well,” she said. “Those who tried to legitimize such actions must understand that violating children’s rights and undermining public order will not go unanswered.”