Georgian ruling party MP defends court's ‘independence’ after sentencing media manager

Zviad Shalamberidze, First Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Regional Policy, has defended the country's judiciary following the sentencing of media manager and journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison, insisting the decision demonstrated judicial independence.

In his comments on Wednesday, the MP claimed the judge’s reclassification of the charges against Amaglobeli proved the court acted autonomously.

"Today once again confirmed that the judiciary in our country is fully independent," Shalamberidze said. "The fact that the charge was reclassified shows that the judge made a completely independent decision. Any speculation on this matter - which has already begun and will undoubtedly continue - is inappropriate."

Amaglobeli, the founder and director of independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was convicted under Article 353(1) of the Criminal Code for resisting or threatening law enforcement and sentenced to two years in prison. She had initially faced a more serious charge of assaulting a police officer, which carried a penalty of four to seven years.