**Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli Remains in Custody**
A court in Georgia has rejected the appeal of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli and kept her in pre-trial detention. This decision was made by the Kutaisi Court of Appeals on January 21.
Amaghlobeli is the founder and director of two publications, Batumelebi and Netgazeti. She faces a prison sentence for allegedly assaulting a police officer. However, human rights groups say she was defending herself against abuse and insults from the police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze.
**Human Rights Groups Speak Out**
Watchdog groups in Georgia say Amaghlobeli’s case is an example of the government’s effort to silence independent journalists. Her lawyers have not yet received a reason for the court’s decision.
Mzia Amaghlobeli has been on hunger strike since her arrest on January 12. The head of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association reported this information.
**Previous Rulings**
Earlier, a judge at the Batumi City Court had already decided to keep Amaghlobeli in custody on January 14. Later, the Public Defender of Georgia submitted a document arguing that her detention was unjustified.
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