Journalists rally on Batumi-Tbilisi highway demanding release of arrested media manager

Journalists and media representatives held a protest on the Batumi-Tbilisi highway on Friday, demanding the immediate release of Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of independent news outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti who has been on hunger strike for 27 days.

Amaglobeli was arrested for assaulting a police officer during protests in the city of Batumi, western Georgia, in early January against halted EU integration.

The demonstrators carried banners with slogans such as “Freedom to the regime’s prisoners” and “Freedom to Mzia Amaglobeli”, expressing their outrage over his arrest.

According to protesters, Amaglobeli was detained for speaking out against the government’s incompetence, and her arrest is seen as an attempt to silence critical voices in the media.

“Our rallies have been going on for three days now. Today, we are blocking the Batumi-Tbilisi highway. We demand freedom for Mzia Amaglobeli and all political prisoners. These protests will continue until the public realizes this is a fight for Georgia’s long-awaited freedom,” said the journalists.

Amaglobeli was arrested on January 12 and has been on a hunger strike since her detention as a form of protest. Due to deteriorating health, she is currently being transferred to Vivamed Clinic for medical attention.

She was arrested for slapping a police officer who allegedly had insulted her. Lawyers say no one in Georgia had faced criminal charges for slapping a law enforcement officer. If found guilty Amaglobeli may be sentenced up to seven years in prison.