Journalists in Georgia are demanding the release of Mzia Amaghlobeli, a female journalist who was arrested and jailed by authorities. She is the first female journalist prisoner of conscience in the country.
According to a statement signed by over 300 media representatives, Amaghlobeli’s arrest shows that the government has entered a new phase in its persecution of critical journalists. They claim she is being punished for her impartial journalism and civil activism, which criticize the regime of oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili.
The media community in Georgia says that since Amaghlobeli’s arrest on January 12, they all face the threat of arrest for their professional activities. They also note that the media environment has sharply deteriorated under the rule of Georgian Dream government.
Journalists have reported verbal abuse and physical violence against them by authorities, including more than 90 instances of violence during the coverage of pro-European protests in November and December 2024. None of these incidents have been investigated or prosecuted.
The statement also notes that the regime has arrested numerous journalists on administrative charges, but this is a new phase where journalists are being imprisoned based on fabricated charges. They call for Amaghlobeli’s immediate release and urge international organizations to raise their voices against the mass persecution of journalists in Georgia.
Protests continue demanding Amaghlobeli’s release, with media representatives holding a rally in front of the Prosecutor General’s Office on January 27. Her health is also a concern after a 16-day hunger strike.
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