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Front News Georgia
The European Union has issued a strong statement condemning the sentencing of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison, calling the verdict a clear sign of the Georgian authorities’ growing repression against independent media and civil society.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the EU expressed “grave concern over the instrumentalisation of the justice system as a tool of repression against independent voices”, urging the Georgian government to immediately release Amaglobeli and all others it considers unjustly detained.
"Media freedom and the right to freedom of expression are cornerstones of any democratic society," the statement read. "Journalists must be able to carry out their vital work without fear of persecution or undue restraint."
The EU emphasized that actions targeting independent media contradict Georgia’s international obligations and the democratic will of its citizens, who continue to express strong support for European integration.
The statement follows a controversial ruling by Batumi City Court on Wednesday, where Judge Nino Sakhelashvili reclassified charges against Amaglobeli and issued a two-year custodial sentence.
Amaglobeli, founder and director of independent news outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was initially charged under Article 353¹ of Georgia’s Criminal Code for allegedly assaulting a police officer during a protest in Batumi in January 2024. The original charge carried a potential sentence of four to seven years in prison.
In a surprise move during the verdict hearing, the judge downgraded the charge to Article 353 – a lesser offence relating to resisting or threatening law enforcement – which allows for penalties ranging from a fine to up to five years in prison. Despite the downgrade, Amaglobeli received a two-year prison term.
