Public Defender visits detained media outlet founder amid allegations of police mistreatment

Georgian Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani, on Tuesday visited journalist Mzia Amaglobeli at a penitentiary institution to assess her detention conditions and investigate claims of mistreatment by police, the Public Defender’s Office said.

Amaglobeli, the founder and director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was detained on January 12 during a protest in Batumi. The protest, which began on January 11, led to her arrest on charges of attacking a police officer, as per Part 1 of Article 353 of the Criminal Code. If convicted, she faces a prison sentence of four to seven years.

The Public Defender’s Office confirmed that its representatives had visited Amaglobeli both in the temporary detention center and the penitentiary following her arrest. During the recent visit, Ioseliani reviewed the journalist’s detention conditions, discussed her treatment by police, and examined the charges brought against her.

Amaglobeli’s detention has sparked outcry from journalists and civil society groups, who claim her imprisonment is politically motivated and linked to her journalistic work. They are demanding her immediate release.

On January 14, the Batumi City Court approved the prosecutor’s request for preventive detention, a move criticized by advocates of press freedom.

The case has drawn attention to the state of media freedom in Georgia, with growing calls for transparency and accountability in handling cases involving journalists.