Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Physical injuryPhysical injury
GYLA: Mzia Amaghlobeli’s eyesight problem is reaching an alarming level
According to the Young Lawyers’ Association of Georgia (GYLA), the eyesight condition of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” is at an alarming level. The organization notes that Mzia Amaghlobeli has not undergone the necessary examinations and, to date, has not received proper consultation from a doctor, which is essential for maintaining eyesight and planning treatment.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Legal incidentLegal incident
The judge dismissed Mzia Amaghlobeli’s lawsuit against Irakli Kobakhidze
On November 24, the Tbilisi City Court dismissed the case of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” against the Georgian Dream Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze. In the lawsuit, Mzia Amaghlobeli sought a denial from Irakli Kobakhidze of the false accusations he made about her.
Shalva Papuashvili is trying to discredit “Mtis Ambebi”
On November 24, the Speaker of Parliament from “Georgian Dream,” Shalva Papuashvili, accused the online media outlet “Mtis Ambebi” of hiding finances. He said that donors, by funding “Mtis Ambebi,” are financing xenophobia. This is how Shalva Papuashvili responded to a question from a pro-government television station about “Mtis Ambebi.” The journalist was asking Papuashvili about “Mtis Ambebi’s” coverage of the Eagle Hills project. Eagle Hills has been presented by the “Georgian Dream” government as an unprecedented, multimillion-dollar project.
“TV Pirveli” journalist Giorgi Mamniashvili was fined 3,000 GEL by a judge
“TV Pirveli” journalist Giorgi Mamniashvili, who was accused by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of minor hooliganism and disobeying a lawful police order, was fined 3,000 GEL by Judge Zviad Tsekvava.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Seizure or confiscation of equipment
“TV Pirveli” journalist had their mobile phone confiscated in court
In November, at the Zugdidi District Court, a “TV Pirveli” journalist had their mobile phone confiscated. According to the television company, the journalist was only allowed to attend the court hearing after the court’s security service sealed their phone. “As an alternative, they were only offered paper and a pen,” stated TV Pirveli.
The Penitentiary Service discredits “TV Pirveli” and “Formula”
On November 16, the Penitentiary Service released a public statement accusing the media outlets TV Pirveli and Formula of disseminating false information. The agency responded to stories circulated in the media, where prisoners spoke about the unbearable conditions in the prison, and their family members asked the Public Defender (Ombudsman) to start an urgent monitoring of the penitentiary system. They also demanded that the Ombudsman establish how many medical personnel serve the Gldani Prison and who is responsible for the spoiled food brought into the facility.
Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
InterferenceSuspension of accreditation
The Parliament suspended the accreditation of a journalist from the TV “Formula” for a period of one month
On November 12, Tiko Eradze released a video filmed in the Parliament's Plenary Hall, where she recorded "Georgian Dream" MP Eka Chichinadze listening to a video recording on her phone from the lodge designated for journalists. Shortly after the video was published, Tiko Eradze herself posted on Facebook, expressing her assumption that her accreditation would be suspended.
The Azerbaijani journalist, Afghan Sadygov, was sentenced to prison for the second time under the pretext of blocking a road
On November 12, 2025, Afghan Sadygov, an Azerbaijani journalist residing in Georgia, was sentenced to administrative imprisonment for the second time under the pretext of blocking a road—he will spend 7 days in prison. He is accused of blocking the road on October 19-21, 2025. Afghan Sadygov had already been imprisoned once on the same charge, having been sentenced to 14 days of administrative imprisonment. At that time, the exiled journalist was accused of blocking the road on October 18.
Media access and coverage were restricted at Mzia Amaghlobeli’s court trial
On November 11, 2025, the Kutaisi Court of Appeals began reviewing the appeal of Mzia Amaghlobeli, a prisoner and founder of the publications "Batumelebi" and "Netgazeti." Due to high public interest, her colleagues and supporters traveled to Kutaisi from various cities in Georgia to attend Mzia Amaghlobeli's court trial, but most of them could not enter the courtroom - the trial was held in a small, 24-person hall, and seats were quickly filled. Journalists who wished to cover the proceedings were also unable to attend. Furthermore, the court security locked the yard gate, restricting the entry of Mzia Amaghlobeli's colleagues and supporters even into the court yard.
Laws Restricting Media FreedomLegal incidentLegal persecution
The Anti-Corruption Bureau is requesting information about grants from the publication “Indigo”
On November 11, 2025, the publication "Indigo" released a statement from which it became clear that the Anti-Corruption Bureau had initiated proceedings against them based on the so-called Law on Grants adopted by "Georgian Dream." "Since our entire activity is based on open communication and only your trust, we want you to know this news as well. Obviously, we continue and serve the mission that created us—we continue working for free speech and expression, for free thoughts and ideas," the publication writes.
