Amnesty International condemns freezing of accounts of Georgian media outlet Batumelebi

Amnesty International has condemned the Georgian Revenue Service’s decision to freeze the bank accounts of Batumelebi, an independent media outlet, calling it a form of retaliation for the outlet’s reporting on alleged police abuse against its founder, Mzia Amaglobeli. Amnesty is demanding a thorough and impartial investigation into all allegations of police violence.

"Independent Georgian outlet Batumelebi had its accounts frozen after exposing alleged police abuse against its founder Mzia Amaglobeli, now arbitrarily detained and facing a trial marred by injustice. Amnesty demands investigations into all allegations of police violence," the organization wrote on social media.

Batumelebi reported that on July 1 it was informed by the Revenue Service of an outstanding tax debt of 47,000 GEL. However, with accumulated fines and interest, the total now exceeds 280,000 GEL. The outlet claims it has been making regular monthly payments and had officially requested a payment plan under the provisions of Georgia’s Tax Code—a request that was denied.

On July 17, the Revenue Service placed an enforcement order on the outlet’s accounts, effectively freezing its finances. The outlet is now at risk of having its office equipment and assets seized by the National Bureau of Enforcement.

The editorial team and supporters argue the move is part of a broader campaign to exert pressure on Amaghlobeli, who is currently detained and faces trial. A preliminary court hearing in her case, overseen by Judge Nino Nameshvili, is being held today, July 21.

“This is pressure on Mzia Amaglobeli to surrender,” read a statement from Batumelebi. “Everything planned this week, including the asset freeze, aims to break her and ultimately destroy the media organization she created.”

The outlet also highlighted the contrast in treatment between itself and pro-government broadcasters. According to Revenue Service data, TV Imedi owes 17 million GEL and Rustavi 2 owes 25 million GEL—yet neither has faced comparable enforcement action.

The editorial warned that these actions pose a serious threat to democratic norms in Georgia. “Freedom of speech is one of the main values of a democratic state, and its abolition is equivalent to the abolition of the state itself,” the statement said.