Detention/Arrest

Mzia Amaglobeili to Remain in Custody Despite Health Concerns

On June 23, 2025, a court hearing was held at the Batumi City Court for Mzia Amaglobeili, founder of the online outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. In addition to the questioning of witnesses, the court also considered a motion to change the preventive measure of detention. However, the judge decided to keep Mzia Amaglobeili in custody.

During the hearing, Amaglobeili’s lawyer, Maia Mtsariashvili, spoke about her deteriorating health condition. According to the lawyer, based on test results from February 4, Mzia Amaglobeili had 30% vision in her right eye and only 0.04% in her left. By February 6, the vision in her right eye had dropped to 10%, and even with glasses, it can reach a maximum of 40%, whereas before her detention, it could reach up to 90%. In her left eye, vision is limited to distinguishing between light and darkness.

Despite the defense emphasizing the severe deterioration of her health, the court did not take this into account and upheld the detention. The court’s decision once again relies generically on the risk of committing a new offense, though the reasoning for this position remains unclear.

We continue to monitor Mzia Amaglobeili’s case, including evaluating how accessible appropriate medical care is for her under prison conditions.

“Mtavari Arkhi” Cameraman, Illegally Detained by Police While Working, Found Guilty of an Offense

On February 10, 2025, Tbilisi City Court found Mtavari Arkhi cameraman Sergi Baramidze guilty of an offense and issued him a verbal warning — despite the fact that he had been assaulted by law enforcement while performing his professional duties.

Baramidze was violently detained on November 19 of the previous year while on assignment. He was later released after signing a written statement.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Internal Affairs filed an administrative offense report against the cameraman. According to the report, on November 19, Baramidze allegedly disrupted public order, used profanity, shouted insults without clear direction, interfered with the lawful detention of another individual, and refused to stop his actions despite multiple warnings. He was charged under Article 166 (petty hooliganism) and Article 173, Part 1 (disobedience to a lawful police order) of the Administrative Offenses Code.

At the hearing on February 10, the judge dropped the case under Article 166 (petty hooliganism) but found Baramidze guilty under Article 173 (interference with police) and issued a verbal reprimand.

Netgazeti and Batumelebi Co-founder and Director Remains in Pretrial Custody

On March 4, 2025, Batumi City Court Judge Vasil Metreveli ruled to keep Netgazeti and Batumelebi co-founder and director Mzia Amaglobe in pre-trial detention. On that day, the court also began the substantive hearing of her case and reviewed the issue of revising the preventive measure.

Mzia Amaglobeli is being investigated under Article 353¹, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to attacks on police officers, special penitentiary staff, or other public officials or institutions. The charge carries a sentence of 4 to 7 years in prison.

Amaglobeli was arrested twice during the night of January 11–12. She was initially detained for posting a sticker on a police building that read: “Georgia Goes on Strike.” She was released a few hours later on a written pledge. However, shortly after her release, she was re-arrested for allegedly slapping the police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze.

According to Netgazeti, the incident was preceded by a clash and crowding between demonstrators and police, triggered by provocative actions from the police.The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), which is representing Amaglobeli, stated that “Mzia Amaglobeli is not only being held unlawfully, but the Georgian judiciary has demonstratively stripped her of the right to defend herself and prove her innocence.”

Netgazeti and Batumelebi Co-founder and Director Fined 2,000 GEL Over Sticker Post

On March 18, 2025, Batumi City Court Judge Salikh Shainidze found Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder and director of Netgazeti and Batumelebi, guilty of a misdemeanor and fined her 2,000 GEL for placing a sticker on a police building.

Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested twice during the night of January 11–12, 2025. She was first detained for posting a sticker on the police building that read: “Georgia goes on strike.” She was released a few hours later on a written pledge. However, shortly after her release, she was arrested again — this time on criminal charges — for allegedly slapping police chief Irakli Dgebuadze.

She remains in pre-trial detention in connection with the criminal case. Her detention is being closely monitored not only by local NGOs but also by prominent international organizations.

Founder of “Netgazeti” and “Batumelebi” Mzia Amaghlobeli Remains in Custody

On April 28, 2025, Batumi City Court ruled to keep Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of the online outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, in pretrial detention. The decision was announced by Judge Nino Sakhelashvili.

As a reminder, Mzia Amaghlobeli was initially detained under administrative charges on January 11 of this year and, just hours later on January 12, was charged under criminal law.

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on her behalf.

“Indigo” Journalist Saba Sordia Detained

On April 6, 2025, Indigo journalist Saba Sordia was detained near the Rustaveli Metro station. He is currently being held in the Digomi detention facility.

“Saba Sordia, a journalist from Indigo, has been unlawfully detained. He complied with police instructions — he opened his bag and provided his ID. When officers attempted to open the back pocket of his bag, Saba told them he would do it himself. This was interpreted as disobedience, and he was taken to the police station, then quickly transferred to the detention facility. He had a camera with him, which is now sealed. The police knew he was a journalist. Despite this, he remains in custody,” wrote Indigo’s executive director, Nata Dzevelishvili.

According to a statement released by Indigo, Saba Sordia’s detention has been extended, and it remains unclear when his court hearing will take place. The Media Advocacy Coalition responded to the detention, stating:

“Saba Sordia’s detention is yet another example of the systemic repressive policy against the media, the scale of which is growing by the day. Arresting journalists under the convenient pretext of ‘disobedience to police’ is an abuse of power by law enforcement agencies.”

Ministry of Internal Affairs Initiates Another Administrative Case Against Mzia Amaghlobeli

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched yet another administrative case against Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti.

This time, the Ministry accuses the journalist of placing a sticker on an auxiliary building in front of the Batumi Police Department on the evening of her arrest, January 11, 2025, alleging damage to the appearance of the structure.

It has been more than four months since Mzia Amaghlobeli’s arrest. While in detention, the journalist went on a hunger strike for 38 days.

During the coverage of the December 6-7 protest, Journnalists were detained, injured, or faced obstruction in their professional work

On December 7, in Tbilisi, on Besiki Street, masked individuals violently attacked the TV Pirveli crew, journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli. The incident occurred while the crew was broadcasting live. They were reporting on how masked individuals were ambushing and attacking citizens. In the video footage from the scene, an unknown masked individual is seen sneaking up behind Maka Chikhladze, grabbing her, and throwing her to the ground. Cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli was kicked in the head. The crew required medical assistance after the attack. “They took the microphone, took the camera, hit both of us, and shouted, ‘What are you reporting, you bastards?’ The police were standing right here, at this spot, when it happened. They failed to react and just walked away. We were attacked and beaten. They’re marauders in black masks,” said Maka Chikhladze.

On December 7, a journalist from Palitranews who was filming the dispersal of the protest with a mobile phone, was obstructed by riot police. In a video footage shared by Mtavari Arkhi, the journalist states that they were broadcasting live when the officer seized their phone and threw it away. At the time, the journalist was wearing an identification badge clearly indicating their media affiliation.

In the early hours of December 7 Mtavari Arkhi journalist and host Beka Korshia was detained during a protest. According to the TV channel, Korshia was physically assaulted during the arrest. “Beka Korshia was detained on Elbakidze, where the riot police unit were simply moving. His arrest was entirely unlawful. Afterwards, he was kept out of contact for four hours, and we were unable to reach him or gather any information. We were also denied the opportunity to exercise his right to legal defense,” Korshia’s lawyer stated.

At the protest, riot police verbally harassed Mtavari Arkhi journalist Dea Mamiseishvili.

On the morning of December 7, the JRC filming crew was covering the encirclement of peaceful protestors and the violent arrest of demonstrators by police forces when members of the riot police obstructed their work and attempted to detain them. JRC has released video footage of the incident.

On December 7, Caucasian Knot correspondent Beslan Kmuzov was detained by riot police while reporting. Kmuzov said he was detained after taking a photo of riot police who were aligned on Shota Rustaveli avenue. Riot police confiscated Kmuzov’s phone. The court imposed a fine of 2,000 GEL on the journalist and he was released on December 9.

On the morning of December 7, the JRC filming crew was covering the encirclement of peaceful protestors and the violent arrest of demonstrators by police forces when members of the special forces obstructed their work and attempted to detain them. JRC has released video footage of the incident.

Founder and Director of Batumelebi detained on criminal charges

On January 14, 2025, Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and director of the independent online magazine Gazeti Batumelebi, was remanded in custody by the Batumi City Court.

The investigation against Mzia Amaghlobeli continues under Article 353¹ of the Criminal Code. This article refers to an attack on a police officer, a member of the special penitentiary service, another representative of the authorities, or a public institution, which is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 4 to 7 years.

Late on the night of January 11, Mzia Amaghlobeli was arrested twice. Initially, she was detained for posting a sticker on the police station door saying “Georgia Is Going On Strike.” Within a few hours of her arrest, she was released on the basis of a written statement. However, shortly after her release, she was re-arrested on charges related to a scuffle involving police and protesters, which prompted provocative actions from the police.

As reported by Netgazeti, the incident preceded confrontations and clashes between protesters and police, leading to provocative actions from the police.

On December 1-2, During the coverage of the protests 11 members of the media were detained, injured, or obstructed in their professional work

On December 2, during a raid at the Rustaveli metro station, the riot police detained Giorgi Chagelishvili, a journalist from the online media platform Mautskebeli. In a video posted on social media, Chagelishvili is seen informing the riot police that he is a journalist; nonetheless, he was detained.
On December 2, at the Rustaveli metro station, while filming the detention of protesters, a journalist from the online media platform Publika was pushed by the riot police, causing them to drop the phone that was used to record the incident.
On December 2, the editor of OC MEDIA, Mariam Nikuradze, was slammed into a wall by the riot police damaging her camera.
On December 2, a journalist from the pro-government TV station Rustavi 2, Tamta Chitishvili, was injured in the leg near the Parliament building. According to information released by the TV station, the journalist underwent surgical intervention.
On December 2, pro-government TV station Rustavi 2 cameraman Giorgi Nergadze was injured near the Parliament building. Emergency medical personnel provided first aid.
On December 2, TV Pirveli cameraman Niko Kokaia was injured during the protest. According to him, he was likely sprayed with pepper spray. Emergency medical personnel provided assistance at the scene. Additionally, according to the NGO Media Ombudsman, journalist Mariam Makasarashvili was also injured along with Kokaia.
On December 2, while filming the detention of citizens who had entered a business center on Besiki Street, a TV Pirveli cameraman was threatened by members of the riot police, who told him not to record any footage.
On December 2, according to the online media outlet April, their journalist Giorgi Baskhajauri was attacked by the riot police while carrying out his professional duties. Baskhajauri was filming the detention of protestors when the officer attempted to seize his phone and chased after him.
On December 2, photographer Mirian Meladze was injured. He posted a photo of his injured leg on his personal Facebook page and wrote that the incident occurred three days before.
On December 2, Media worker at a propagandist pro-government Post TV Guranda Bilikhodze was injured by a tear gas canister, according to independent media outlet Publika.ge.