Prominent Georgian investigative journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli has been sentenced to two years in prison for slapping a police chief during anti-government protests in Batumi earlier this year. The ruling, announced today, Aug. 6, by the Batumi City Court, has sparked a fresh wave of domestic and international condemnation.
The incident occurred during mass protests in January 2025. A video circulated by Georgian media shows Amaghlobeli striking Batumi’s police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze, during a chaotic demonstration. Amaghlobeli said she acted in an emotional state after witnessing the arrest of people close to her and falling during a stampede. She also accused the police chief of spitting on her and attempting to assault her after she was detained.
Originally charged with bodily harm – which carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison – the court convicted her on lesser charges of resisting, threatening, or using violence against a law enforcement officer. Her lawyer argued that the investigation was biased and that Amaghlobeli had not received a fair trial.
The courtroom and the area surrounding the courthouse were packed with supporters and journalists protesting what many see as another alarming attack on press freedom.
24 countries condemn “politically motivated” verdict
Shortly after the verdict was announced, 24 diplomatic missions, including those of the EU, Germany, France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine, released a joint statement condemning the sentence as “disproportionate and politically motivated,” and calling for Amaghlobeli’s immediate release.
“We condemn the disproportionate and politically motivated sentencing of Mzia Amaghlobeli to two years in prison,” the statement reads.
The diplomats also expressed concern over the prolonged pre-trial detention, which significantly affected Amaghlobeli’s health and vision, further aggravating the case.
The statement, issued by members of the Media Freedom Coalition and its partners, emphasizes that the imprisonment of Amaghlobeli – alongside pressure on her media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti – represents a clear example of growing intimidation of journalists, unchecked violence, and legal harassment. These developments, they say, violate Georgia’s international obligations to protect press freedom and freedom of expression.
Background and political context
Mzia Amaghlobeli is the founder and director of Batumelebi, one of Georgia’s leading investigative news outlets, and co-founder of its sister platform Netgazeti. Both are known for their in-depth reporting on politics, corruption, and human rights.
Since the spring of 2024, Georgia has seen ongoing mass protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party, which many accuse of undermining democracy and aligning the country with Russia. The fall 2024 parliamentary elections were widely criticized for lacking transparency and credibility. Despite strong public support for EU integration, the government unilaterally froze accession talks, fueling further unrest.
In this context, journalists, opposition figures, and civil society activists have faced increasing pressure – through surveillance, arrests, smear campaigns, and criminal charges.
Amaghlobeli’s sentencing is seen as emblematic of this broader crackdown and a dangerous step backwards for Georgia’s fragile democracy.