**Clooney Foundation to Monitor Trial of Jailed Journalist**
The Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) has announced that it will monitor the trial of Mzia Amaghlobeli, a journalist and director of online media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. She is currently being held in jail.
**Background on the Case**
Mzia Amaghlobeli was arrested on January 12 after she slapped the police chief of Batumi, Irakli Dgebuadze, in response to reported mistreatment by the police. The incident was classified as a criminal offense of “assaulting a police officer.” Amaghlobeli spent 38 days on hunger strike in protest before ending her fast on February 18.
**International Support**
The Clooney Foundation’s TrialWatch program will monitor the trial and produce a report grading the case against international and regional fair trial standards. The foundation has provided free legal aid to defend free speech and women’s rights in over 40 countries, resulting in dozens of journalists being released from prison and thousands of women receiving support.
**Next Steps**
The Batumi City Court began the substantive hearing of Amaghlobeli’s case on March 18, but it was postponed to March 31 after the defense filed a motion to include new evidence. The trial is widely seen as an example of political persecution by Georgia’s independent press under the ruling Georgian Dream government.
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