Journalists demand suspension of Batumi police chief for alleged abuse of media outlet founder

Georgian media representatives are demanding the suspension of Irakli Dgebuadze, the Head of the Batumi City Division of the Adjara Autonomous Region Police Department in western Georgia, following allegations of abuse against media outlet founder Mzia Amaglobeli.

Amaglobeli was this week charged with assaulting Dgebuadze during protests last week against the Government’s decision last year to halt EU accession talks until 2028.

The protests stem from claims that Dgebuadze mistreated Amaglobeli, the founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, during her detention.

According to Nona Kurdovanidze, Chairperson of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), after Amaglobeli’s arrest, Dgebuadze verbally abused her and allegedly tried to physically assault her multiple times.

On one occasion, it is reported that he spat in her face and prevented her from drinking water or using the toilet for a certain period.

Despite the abuse, other police officers intervened, restraining Dgebuadze and removing him from the room. The journalists’ protests are demanding Dgebuadze’s immediate suspension and a full investigation into the incident.