24 diplomatic missions condemn jail sentence of Georgian journalist Amaglobeli

Twenty-four diplomatic missions have issued a joint statement condemning what they describe as a disproportionate and politicised sentence against Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, calling for her immediate release.

The statement, released by diplomatic representations of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, on Monday said Amaglobeli’s two-year prison sentence violated Georgia’s international commitments on media freedom and freedom of expression.

The signatories, members and partners of the Media Freedom Coalition in Georgia, said Amaglobeli’s case was aggravated by her prolonged pre-trial detention, during which her health - particularly her eyesight - deteriorated significantly.

They also said the case, “along with pressure on the independent outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti,” exemplified a broader pattern of intimidation of journalists, impunity for violence, and legal persecution in Georgia.

The diplomats reiterated the coalition’s earlier statement of 20 December 2024, condemning all forms of violence and intimidation against journalists and media workers.

“We express our solidarity with Mzia Amaglobeli and call for her immediate release,” the statement said.