Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder and director of “Netgazeti” and “Batumelebi”, is among the finalists for the 2025 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. This information was shared by the publication “Batumelebi”.
Along with Mzia Amaghlobeli, the finalists include Ukrainian journalist Maksym Butkevych and Azerbaijani journalist Ulvi Hasanli.
The Václav Havel Human Rights Prize aims to honor civil society representatives who defend human rights in Europe and beyond its borders.
The winner of the 2025 prize will be announced on September 29 in Strasbourg.
For reference, Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti”, was sentenced to two years of imprisonment. The judge changed the charge from Article 353/1, Part 1 of the Criminal Code to Article 353, Part 1. The latter pertains to obstructing a police officer, special penitentiary service employee, or other representative of the authorities in maintaining public order, with the intent to disrupt or alter their activities. This offense carries penalties such as a fine, house arrest for up to two years, or imprisonment for two to six years. Initially, Mzia Amaghlobeli was charged under Article 353/1, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which relates to attacks on a police officer, special penitentiary service employee, other government representative, or public institution. This offense carried a penalty of imprisonment for four to seven years.
