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Excure for freedom: Europe calls for Miazia Amaghlobeli's immediate release!
European Parliament demands release from journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli in Georgia, a sign of freedom of the press and human rights.
Excure for freedom: Europe calls for Miazia Amaghlobeli's immediate release!
On June 19, 2025, the European Parliament passed a resolution that deals with the serious human rights situation in Georgia. This initiative comes from the Austrian MP Lena Schilling (Greens/EFA). The focus of the discussion is the journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, who has been detained since January 2025 and is considered a political prisoner. Their arrest is perceived as a serious attack on freedom of the press in Georgia, as ots.at reports.
The resolution calls on the immediate and unconditional release of Amaghlobeli and all political prisoners, the abolition of the controversial "Foreign Agents" law and an investigation of abuse. Schilling emphasizes that this resolution is a strong sign of support for civil society in Georgia.
background to Mzia amaghlobeli
mzia amaghlobeli is a respected journalist and founder of the online newspapers Batumelebi and Netgazeti. It was arrested in Batumi on January 12, 2025 and has been in custody since then. On June 17, 2025, she was sentenced to a fine of 1,000 gel (approx. 320 euros) in the absence. Her detention is related to an accusation that she had attacked a police officer. One of the most serious accusations against Amaghlobeli refers to an incident with the chief of police at Batumi, Irakli Dgebuadze, reports [pen-international.org] (https://www.pen-international.org/news/georgia-release-mzia-amaglobeli and-end-crackdown-on-freee-press).
her hunger strike, which she began on January 20, 2025, was a direct reaction to the abuse she had experienced during her imprisonment. There are reports that Dgebuadze abused her during the detention, which was confirmed by the chairman of the Georgian Association of Young Lawyers, Nona Kurdovanidze. She expressed that Amaghlobeli was denied access to water and toilets. The events indicate a worrying climate of fear and intimidation, which is also underlined internationally by the reactions of international organizations such as Pen.
media and political situation in Georgia
The situation of freedom of the press in Georgia is alarming. Vasil Ivanov-Schikovani, a news moderator at the State Georgian Radio (GPB), lost his job after expressing his solidarity with Amaghlobeli. This shows the reprisals that journalists are exposed to in Georgia. The GPB itself is fully financed from the state budget and is under political pressure. The protest movements that meet in front of the GPB building demand more attention for social issues and the preservation of freedom of the press, such as taz.de.
The developments show that Georgia has fallen back in the press freedom index, from 84th place in 2014 to 103th place in 2024. Experts fear further deterioration in 2025 due to the detention of media managers and continuing violence against journalists. Schilling and other political actors not only demand the release of Amaghlobeli, but also an end to the repressive measures against independent media and NGOs.