European politicians demand release of Georgian media manager Amaglobeli, call for EU sanctions on officials

A coalition of European parliamentarians and international figures has called for the immediate release of Georgian media founder and manager Mzia Amaghlobeli, who was last month arrested for assaulting a police officer during protests against halted EU integration, along with 52 other journalists and political prisoners currently detained in Georgia.

The statement, released on the social platform X by French MEP Nathalie Loiseau, condemned the ongoing crackdown on democracy and human rights in the country, now in its 69th day.

The signatories, including members of the European Parliament, national lawmakers, and former diplomats, hold the Georgian authorities responsible for the deteriorating health of Amaglobeli, who has been on a hunger strike for four weeks.

They expressed concern over reports that she is not receiving adequate medical care while in detention and is being subjected to degrading treatment. The statement emphasized that the Georgian government “bears full responsibility for any negative consequences to Amaghlobeli’s health”.

The politicians criticized Georgian Dream, the ruling political party in Georgia, for attempting to discredit Amaglobeli by labeling her as “foreign-funded.” They argue that this tactic is part of a broader effort to divert attention from the growing pro-European sentiment among the Georgian population. The statement underscored that Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic path “is enshrined in its constitution and supported by the will of the people”, which they claim “has been undermined by the ruling party’s actions”. They express solidarity with fifth President Salome Zourabichvili, independent media, and civil society groups, calling for international support.

In addition, the statement urged the European Union to impose sanctions on Georgian officials, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Vakhtang Gomelauri, and Sulkhan Tamazashvili, for their role in suppressing democratic freedoms. The parliamentarians call for immediate steps to restore Georgia’s democratic trajectory, including the release of all political prisoners, the repeal of recent laws
restricting freedom of assembly, and the organization of new elections under independent supervision.

Among the signatories are Pavel Fischer (Czech Republic), Radosław Fogel (Poland), Michael Galler (Germany), and many others, including US Congressman Joe Wilson, Chairman of the Helsinki Commission.