Detention/Arrest

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.

On November 29-30, During the coverage of the protests 9 members of the media were detained, injured, or obstructed in their professional work

On November 30, TV Pirveli journalist Mariam Gafrindashvili was seriously injured. According to reports, she lost consciousness several times. The video footage released by the station, shows her bleeding from the forehead before being taken to a medical facility.
On November 30, TV Pirveli cameraman Papuna Khachidze was physically injured during the protest.
On the same day, the riot police attacked Ana Mskhaladze, a journalist from the online outlet Publika, while she was performing her professional duties. The officer also took her phone. Mskhaladze explained that she was recording the detention of citizens when the officer knocked the phone out of her hand. When she identified herself as a journalist and bent down to retrieve it, she was struck in the head. The officer then took the phone and disappeared. Her phone is still missing.
During the protest near the Parliament building on November 30, special forces attacked RealPolitika journalist Aka Zarqua. ‘About ten special forces officers surrounded and beat me until they got tired. I won’t even mention the verbal abuse. At one point, their commander arrived and tried to shove my press badge into my mouth. Fortunately, they didn’t manage to seize my phone, and the live stream remains on RealPolitika’s page. The video captures one instance of the physical assault, though my phone was in my pocket during the second, so it wasn’t recorded. They also confiscated my respirator. Thankfully, I was wearing a helmet,’ Zarqua wrote.
Photographer Giorgi Gamgebeli was also physically assaulted on November 30. He was hospitalized, and his equipment was confiscated and destroyed. ‘They broke my leg, beat me, ripped the camera from me, and took it away. People barely managed to drag me to an ambulance,’ the photographer reported.
On November 30, Formula TV reported that special forces attacked a journalist Nutsa Bakhutashvili and her cameraman Irakli Bartava. According to the network, Bakhutashvili sustained a concussion.
The cameramen of Georgian Public Broadcaster First Channel Davit Bejanishvili was injured during the protest on November 30.
According to Paper Kartuli, on November 30, a masked man, presumably a law enforcement officer, struck journalist Fyodor Khudokormov with his hand.

On November 28-29, During the coverage of the protests 40 members of the media were detained, injured, or obstructed in their professional work

On November 29, TV Formula’s journalist Guram Rogava was brutally assaulted by riot police while working live on air. The riot police struck him from behind, causing him to fall and sustain head and neck injuries. The footage shows the journalist lying on the ground, bleeding. He was later taken to a medical facility. Before this incident, Rogava had been obstructed by police while working live on air. In footage from that time, police can be seen forcibly removing the journalist from the area, covering the camera, and preventing the cameraman from filming.
During the November 29 protest, TV Formula’s journalist Giorgi Kvijinadze and cameraman Tedo Kachakhia were injured. Journalist Khatia Samkharadze was also sprayed with pepper spray.
On November 29, the equipment of TV Formula’s crew, covering the protest in Batumi, was damaged. Tamar Tediashvili mentioned this during a live broadcast.
On November 29, law enforcement officers arrested journalist Aleksandre Keshelashvili of the online outlet Publika while he was performing his professional duties. They confiscated his camera and assaulted him. He was later released on the condition of a written statement and taken to a medical facility for examination. “I kept saying I was a journalist, but it seems that had the opposite effect. They insulted me even more, and then added that I was a journalist. They escorted me through a kind of corridor where they hit me with their hands and feet, mostly in the face. They took my cameras, badge, and respirator. I was passed from one person to the next, with each one hitting me until I was taken from Chichinadze Street through the back of the Parliament grounds and up to 9 April Street, where they put handcuffs on me,” the journalist wrote on social media.

Publika’s journalist Natia Amiranashvili was obstructed by police while filming, and her phone was reportedly damaged during the incident.
Publika photographer Mindia Gabadze was injured by law enforcement officers while performing his professional duties.
Publika journalist Basti Mgablishvili was repeatedly obstructed during the protests and was struck several times.
TV Pirveli cameraman Niko Kokaia was deliberately sprayed in the face with pepper spray by special forces.
TV Pirveli cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli was physically assaulted by a special forces officer, who attacked him from behind.
TV Pirveli journalist Nanuka Kajaia and cameraman Davit Bichikashvili were also injured during the protests when special forces deliberately sprayed them with a water cannon.
TV Pirveli journalist Ana Mdivani was sprayed in the face with an unknown substance and required medical attention.
Reporters from Mtavari Arkhi, including journalist Dea Mamishvili and cameraman Giorgi Goginashvili, also became unwell due to the tear gas.
Mtavari Arkhi journalist Keta Tsitskishvili, along with fellow journalist Davit Kobidze and cameraman Luka Bachilava, was verbally abused and obstructed by the riot police.
According to Radio Free Europe, journalists Davit Koridze and Salome Chaduneli were physically assaulted during the protests.
Radio Free Europe cameramen Ilia Ratiani and Zuka Khidashvili were obstructed while carrying out their professional duties.
Radio Free Europe journalist Davit Tsagereli was punched and thrown to the ground by a riot officer.
Adjara TV journalist Nino Lorchoshvili lost consciousness while covering the protests, likely due to exposure to pepper spray used by special forces.
Netgazeti journalist Givi Avaliani was sprayed in the face with pepper spray by the riot police.
OC Media founder and photographer Mariam Nikuradze was hit with a water cannon, causing her to fall and damage her camera. She required medical help and later wrote on social media that the riot police had prevented her from filming: “The special forces threw my phone twice, forbidding us to film and insulting us journalists.”
JAMnews reporter Yulia Kalaban was hit by a police officer while attempting to film special forces setting up barricades on Rustaveli Avenue. She needed first aid.
The journalists of Studio Monitor Nino Tsverava and Nino Shubitidze, as well as cameraman Giorgi Baramidze, were obstructed during the protest. Nino Tsverava posted the footage of police violence on social media.
The riot Police physically assaulted Project 64 editor Giorgi Gogua, kicking him in the legs.
A journalist from the pro-governmental TV station Rustavi 2 was injured by a water cannon.
The journalist of Express News Irakli Managadze was kicked by a special forces officer.
April Media photographer Tbilisi Abuseridze was injured when photographing the protest action.
TOK TV journalist Filipe Tsereteli was injured by a gas capsule fired at him. He reported that tear gas capsules were deliberately thrown: “They released about 5 capsules. On Besiki Street, where we were, only journalists were present, around 5-7 people. No protesters were there at that time.”
The cameraman of the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel Davit Bejanishvili was injured while covering the protests.
Giorgi Chumburidze, a cameraman for Current Time/Radio Free Europe’s Russian news platform, was obstructed while carrying out his work.

During the coverage of the November 30 – December 1 protests, 9 members of the media were detained, injured, or obstructed in their professional work

On December 1, 2024, during the dispersal of a peaceful protest near the Parliament building, 9 representatives of various media outlets were injured. Over the course of three days, a total of 52 journalists, cameramen, and photographers were injured or hindered in their professional activities.

According to publicly available information:

Irakli Gedenidze, a photojournalist from the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel was injured during the protest. First Channel reported that he was injured by pyrotechnics.

“Mtavari Arkhi” reported that a police officer directed aggressive and offensive language at journalist Keta Tsitskishvili.

Giorgi Shetsiruli, a cameraman for TV Pirveli, was injured while working live on air. According to the TV station, he sustained a serious leg injury and was taken to the clinic.

TV “Formula” reported that their crew got injured by a water cannon, which was used to disperse the protest.

The cameraman from TV “Formula” was also injured during the protest. He reportedly became ill after the gas, which was used to disperse the protest.

Beka Beradze, a producer for Radio Tavisupleba, was beaten and temporarily detained. He was near the protest when he was surrounded by the police. Beradze told his lawyer that he informed the officers he was a journalist, but they still arrested him.

According to the online media platform On.ge, photographer Nikoloz Tabukashvili was arrested during the protest.

Mirian Meladze, a photographer from the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel, was reportedly injured on Rustaveli Avenue by what is believed to have been a rubber bullet.