Georgian public figures fined over protest for jailed media manager

A court in western Georgia has fined nine prominent public figures for participating in a protest against the detention of a media manager.

Kutaisi City Court on Monday issued fines of ₾5,000 ($1,800) each to the individuals, who had gathered last month in support of Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and director of independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti.

Among those penalised were journalist Gela Mtivlishvili, musician Nino Katamadze, and educator Vladimir Apkhazava, the first recipient of Georgia’s National Teacher’s Award. Other fined protesters included journalists Khvicha Vashakmadze and Eka Kukhalashvili, psychologists Ketevan Pilauri and Maia Tsiramua, activist Irina Zarandia, and Givi Tsintsadze, a local assembly member from western Georgia.

The demonstration took place on 27 January near the home of Judge Malkhaz Okropirashvili, who had rejected an appeal against Amaglobeli’s detention. She was arrested earlier in January for assaulting a police official during protests in Batumi against the government’s decision to delay European Union accession talks until 2028.

Amaglobeli has been on hunger strike for 30 days, protesting what she calls unlawful detention.

Authorities said the protesters had breached regulations on public assemblies.