**Protestors Rally in Batumi Over Mzia Amaghlobeli Sentence**
A crowd of supporters took to the streets of Batumi yesterday, marching from the city court where a judge had just sentenced their leader, Mzia Amaghlobeli, to two years in prison. The protesters were outraged by Judge Nino Sakhelashvili’s decision and chanted slogans such as “False witness police officers” and “Freedom for Mzia.”
As Amaghlobeli was led away from the courthouse, the demonstrators encouraged her with chants and cheers, showing their solidarity with her cause. The scene was a testament to the strong public support for Amaghlobeli, who is the founder of the organization “Batumelebi”.
**Background on the Sentence**
For those unfamiliar with the case, Judge Sakhelashvili had reclassified the charges against Amaghlobeli under Article 353^1 of the Criminal Code. This article refers to resistance, threats, or violence against a public order officer or another representative of the authorities. The move was seen as a significant setback for Amaghlobeli and her supporters.
**What’s Behind the Protest?**
The protest in Batumi is just the latest development in a long-standing campaign by “Batumelebi” to highlight the issues facing their community. Amaghlobeli, who had been at the forefront of this effort, was seen as a key figure in the organization and her sentence has sparked widespread outrage.
**Context**
The case highlights the ongoing tensions between the government and civil society groups in Georgia. As the country continues to navigate its path towards further integration with the West, issues such as police accountability and judicial independence are becoming increasingly important.
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