Tbilisi

The Revenue Service has imposed a lien on the bank accounts of Batumelebi

On July 21, 2025, it was announced that Georgia’s Revenue Service had frozen the bank accounts of the media outlet Batumelebi. According to the organization, while the official reason given was debt, they believe the true intention is to shut down the media outlet.

According to media reports, the Revenue Service gave Batumelebi a five-day deadline to pay off the debt, warning that if they failed to do so, their accounts would be frozen, followed by seizure of property. The National Enforcement Bureau would then step in to sell the organization’s assets — including their office and editorial equipment.

Batumelebi reports that their current debt to the state includes a principal amount of 47,000 GEL, a penalty interest of 126,000 GEL, and a fine of 109,000 GEL. The outlet had acknowledged the debt and had been making monthly payments toward it. After receiving the threat of asset seizure, Batumelebi officially requested a payment schedule from the Revenue Service — an option allowed under the Tax Code — but their request was denied. On July 17, their accounts were frozen.

Batumelebi considers this action to be yet another form of pressure against the outlet and a step toward its closure. For over six months now, the founder and media manager of the outlet, Mzia Amaghlobeli, has been in detention. She is facing 4 to 7 years in prison for allegedly assaulting a police officer — the charge stems from an incident where she reportedly slapped the head of Batumi’s police. Her trial is nearing its end, with the final hearing — during which Judge Nino Galustashvili will announce the verdict — scheduled for August 1.

“The account freeze and the other measures planned in the coming week are clearly aimed at breaking Mzia Amaghlobeli — and ultimately, at dismantling the independent media organization she founded,” Batumelebi said in a statement. “One clear example confirms this: according to official data from May 21, 2025, the TV company Imedi owes 17 million GEL to the state, while Rustavi 2 owes 25 million GEL. Yet neither has faced such enforcement actions.”

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics has also labeled this incident as pressure on the media. The Charter has urged the Revenue Service to lift the account freeze and offer Batumelebi a repayment plan. Another group, the Coalition for Media Advocacy, also condemned the move, calling it part of a broader campaign by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, against independent journalism and media.

International human rights organization Amnesty International also responded, stating:
“The independent Georgian outlet Batumelebi had its accounts frozen after allegations of police violence emerged against its founder, Mzia Amaghlobeli, who is currently unlawfully detained and facing a flawed trial. Amnesty calls for a full investigation into all allegations of police abuse.”

Update (July 22):
Following widespread public outcry — both locally and from international media organizations — the Revenue Service offered Batumelebi a payment plan and agreed to lift the account freeze. That same day, thanks to a major campaign by readers and supporters, Batumelebi managed to raise funds to cover the principal part of their debt.

The Minister of Education insulted journalists in response to a critical question

On July 17, 2025, the Minister of Education, Science, and Youth from “Georgian Dream,” Givi Mikanadze, called journalists “ridiculous” and “powerless” in response to a question regarding his doctoral degree.

“You are very ridiculous, really very ridiculous, so powerless. What diploma are you talking about? PhD candidate… you can read this in any of my CVs. You are very ridiculous. Do you know how powerless you are?” — Mikanadze stated.

When he was appointed minister, Georgian Dream’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, referred to him as a doctor from the University of Amsterdam. It later emerged that Mikanadze does not actually hold the degree. Journalists were attempting to verify this information.

The Revenue Service has placed a lien on the accounts of the publication ‘Batumelebi’

On July 21, 2025, it became known that the Revenue Service had placed a lien on the accounts of the publication Batumelebi. According to the organization, the official reason is debt, but the real reason is the intention to shut down the media organization.

According to media reports, the agency gave them a five-day deadline to pay the debt; otherwise, the accounts would be subjected to a lien, after which the property would be seized and the National Bureau of Enforcement would begin the enforcement process — selling the organization’s assets, including its office and editorial technical equipment.

According to the publication, at this stage their debt to the budget — the principal amount — is 47,000 GEL, with interest adding 126,000 GEL and a fine of 109,000 GEL. Batumelebi had acknowledged its debt to the state and had been making monthly payments to cover it. After the threat of a lien, Batumelebi officially contacted the Revenue Service and requested a payment schedule (the Tax Code allows debt to be paid in installments), but they were refused. On July 17, Batumelebi’s accounts were subjected to a lien.

The publication perceived this action as another attempt to pressure them and as an effort to shut down the media outlet. For more than six months, the founder and media manager, Mazia Amaglobeli, has been in detention. She is accused of assaulting a police officer for slapping the chief of Batumi police and faces 4 to 7 years in prison. Her trial is nearing its conclusion, with the final session — where Judge Nino Galustashvili will announce the verdict — scheduled for August 1.

“The lien and all other operations planned in the past week are aimed at breaking Mazia Amaglobeli and, in the long term, destroying the media organization she founded. A simple confirmation of this is one example: according to official information from the Revenue Service on May 21, 2025, TV company Imedi owes 17 million GEL to the budget. Rustavi 2 owes 25 million GEL to the budget,” the organization stated.

The “Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics” also assessed the incident as pressure on the media. The charter urges the Revenue Service to lift the lien on the publication’s accounts and to provide a schedule for debt repayment. Batumelebi’s case is part of a systemic campaign carried out by the Georgian Dream party against independent journalism and media, according to a statement by another organization, the “Media Advocacy Coalition.”

The international human rights organization Amnesty International also commented on the situation: “The accounts of the independent Georgian publication Batumelebi were frozen after alleged cases of police violence against its founder, Mazia Amaglobeli, who is currently unlawfully detained and facing a tainted trial. Amnesty calls for a full investigation of all allegations of police violence,” the statement read.

Update: On July 22, after the news received significant attention from both local and international media organizations, the Revenue Service offered Batumelebi a payment schedule and lifted the lien. On the same day, thanks to support from readers who launched a major campaign to help the publication, the principal amount of the debt was covered.

“Georgian Dream” Executive Secretary Accused Journalist Nodar Meladze of “Agency Speculation”

On July 14, 2025, “Georgian Dream” Executive Secretary Mamuka Mdinaradze accused “TV Pirveli” news service head Nodar Meladze of “agency speculation.” “This question serves your agency speculation, in connection with blaming others for your crime” – Mamuka Mdinaradze told the journalist.

This was preceded by the events of July 8, when “Georgian Dream” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze linked the suicide attempt of the former head of the Adjara government to critical media “TV Pirveli” and “Formula.”

When asked who, according to his information, was accusing Tornike Rizhvadze of “corruption” and “patronage of deals” – as written in the circulated letter – Kobakhidze said: “I don’t know, there were specific television stations that were doing this. In general, the life of a person involved in politics is stressful. Including when they no longer hold a position. Countless lies are spread, there is countless insult, countless defamation. I can name specific television stations… for example, ‘TV Pirveli’, ‘Formula’” – Irakli Kobakhidze declared.

Judge Completely Closed Court Proceedings Due to Photo Distribution

On July 10, 2025, due to the distribution of photos from the courtroom, Judge Nino Galustashvili closed the Lomidze-Zasokhashvili trial and had everyone present, including journalists, leave the courtroom.

On June 26, the “Georgian Dream” parliament adopted amendments to the Organic Law on Common Courts through an expedited procedure. Under the new norms, which came into force immediately upon publication of the law, photo-video recording for media at court sessions was prohibited. As a result of the changes, recording is restricted both inside the courtroom space, as well as in the yard and corridors.

Media Platform “ChaiKhana” Becomes Target of Disinformation Attack

On July 10, 2025, disinformation was spread against media platform “ChaiKhana” on the broadcast of “Imedi,” a broadcaster supporting “Georgian Dream.” Specifically, the discussion was about “ChaiKhana” receiving 532,117 euros from the European Commission. Media platform “ChaiKhana” issued a statement that the story aired on “Imedi” does not correspond to the truth.

“The amount mentioned in the story, 532,117 euros, is the amount allocated for 6 beneficiary countries… Accordingly, 94% of the amount mentioned by TV company ‘Imedi,’ 532,117 euros, does not represent ChaiKhana’s budget; the mentioned amount is actually the budget of organizations operating in European Union countries. According to ChaiKhana’s information, moreover, within the framework of the project, ChaiKhana could not receive the 31,947 euros initially allocated to it, because the contract was terminated early due to the adoption of the ‘Russian law.’ Accordingly, the actual amount received by ChaiKhana is only 5,581 euros and not 31,947 euros, as TV company ‘Imedi’ claims” – the statement reads.

“Georgian Dream” Government Leader Continues Discrediting Prisoner of Conscience Mzia Amaghlobeli

On July 10, 2025, “Georgian Dream” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the founder of “Batumelebi/Netgazeti,” Mzia Amaghlobeli, of fulfilling a “specific order” and “humiliating and insulting” the police.

“This case [Mzia’s case] is very important for them [European Parliament members] and why – because they intended to humiliate law enforcement structures in Georgia, because they know very well that if law enforcement structures are humiliated, the entire state will be humiliated and of course, Mzia Amaghlobeli fulfilled a specific order in this regard. She attempted to humiliate law enforcement structures, to humiliate the police,” – Kobakhidze said.

Irakli Kobakhidze made a similar statement against the founder of “Batumelebi/Netgazeti,” Mzia Amaghlobeli, on April 16 as well, on “Rustavi 2’s” broadcast.

The founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti” Mzia Amaghlobeli has been in illegal imprisonment for 6 months. The journalist was initially arrested on January 11, 2025, for sticker posting and was soon released. Shortly after, on January 12, 2025, she was arrested under criminal procedure for spitting on Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze.

On July 9, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Georgia, demanding Mzia Amaghlobeli’s release. Her release is also demanded by local and international organizations.

Irakli Kobakhidze Attempts to Discredit Independent Media “TV Pirveli” and “Formula”

On July 8, 2025, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the “Georgian Dream” government attempted to discredit independent broadcasters “TV Pirveli” and “Formula.” He made a comment to the media about the alleged suicide attempt of former Chairman of the Adjara Government, Tornike Rizhvadze, according to the official version of the investigation. According to his statement, he “generally” linked the incident to opposition television stations and accused critical television stations of “defamation” and “sowing hatred.”

When asked who, according to his information, was accusing Tornike Rizhvadze of “corruption” and “patronage of drug dealers” – as written in the circulated letter – Kobakhidze said: “I don’t know, there were specific television stations that were doing this. In general, the life of a person involved in politics is stressful. Including when they no longer hold a position. Countless lies are spread, there is countless insult, countless defamation. I can name specific television stations… for example, ‘TV Pirveli’, ‘Formula’” – Irakli Kobakhidze declared.

Later, however, he denied the statement and noted that “No, I didn’t say this. I didn’t say this, of course. I gave one example. The rest should be determined by the investigation” – Kobakhidze said.

According to the Communications Commission, TV Pirveli, Mtavari Arkhi, and Formula have violated the law

On July 3, 2025, the Communications Commission found TV companies “TV Pirveli”, “Mtavari Arkhi” and “Formula” to be violators of the law. The case concerns a complaint by “Georgian Dream” against the television stations. The party appealed to the commission on June 1 and complained about terms such as: “illegitimate parliament”, “oligarch’s regime”, “regime prisoners”, “illegitimate government”, “clan’s court” and others. The complaints submitted by “Georgian Dream” are based on amendments to Georgia’s Law on Broadcasting. These amendments were approved by parliament on April 1, as a result of which the Communications Commission’s powers were expanded.

The Media Advocacy Coalition called on the Communications Commission to be independent and a defender of free speech.

“The Commission should take into account that the public interest in critical assessment of political forces is higher. The media should have the right to give appropriate characterization and assessment to the processes taking place in the country. This is the essence of journalism” – the statement reads.

“Georgian Dream” Prime Minister Spreads Disinformation Against Nodar Meladze

On July 15, 2025, “Georgian Dream” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused Nodar Meladze, head of the news service of independent broadcaster “TV Pirveli,” of being “financed by specific individuals.” According to the disinformation statement: “There are specific people who some think are ‘Nationals’ and in reality they are financed by specific persons who were suspected of corruption and who had to leave the team… Nodar Meladze, who receives directives from this specific group suspected of corruption regarding the dissemination of specific information.”

On July 14, “Georgian Dream” Executive Secretary Mamuka Mdinaradze also made a statement against Nodar Meladze and accused him of “agency speculation.”