EU calls for release of Georgian journalist
The EU and Amnesty International have criticised a two-year prison sentence imposed on a prominent journalist in Georgia.
The Batumi City Court sentenced Mzia Amaghlobeli to two years in jail for a slap she delivered to the city’s police chief during protests against government policies on 11 January.
Amaghlobeli, a prominent journalist and co-founder of the media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested twice during the demonstrations.
According to Amnesty, she slapped the police chief in response to sexualised threats and insults.
‘Impunity’
“Mzia Amaghlobeli was subjected to a litany of abuses at the hands of the police: verbally assaulted, spat on, injured, and then refused medical help,” said Denis Krivosheev (Amnesty International deputy director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia).
“This was admitted by police officers during her trial, yet impunity has prevailed,” he added.
“The proceedings were riddled with procedural violations and bias, and the court refused to admit much of the defence’s submissions and investigate credible allegations of ill-treatment by police officials,” Krivosheev stated.
‘Independent media targeted’
An EU statement expressed “grave concern” about what was described as “the instrumentalisation of the justice system as a tool of repression against independent voices”.
“The actions of the authorities targeting and silencing independent media undermine the very foundation of democracy, contradict Georgia's international obligations, and run counter to the European aspirations of the Georgian population,” the EU said.
The EU has called on the Georgian authorities to release Amaglobeli, as well as others unjustly detained, and to uphold and ensure the right to a fair trial.
The union has suspended accession talks with Georgia due to concern about what it has described as "democratic backsliding" by the ruling Georgian Dream party.