Women Press Freedom condemns detention of founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti media outlet

Women Press Freedom, an Advocacy and support organization for women & LGBTQI journalists, took to X to express concern regarding the detention of Mzia Amaglobeli, founder and director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti media outlet in Georgia.

The post reads that Amaglobeli was detained twice in Batumi—first for posting a strike sticker, then during a protest. She’s now accused of assaulting a police chief, a charge carrying 4-7 years imprisonment. The organization added that while in custody, Amaghlobeli reported police mistreatment and was denied legal access for hours.

’’Women Press Freedom condemns the targeting of Amaghlobeli. This is a blatant attack on press freedom. Since protests began in November, dozens of women journalists have faced harassment and police violence – Amaghlobeli and her colleagues have been on the ground documenting unjust detentions by authorities in Batumi. We demand the charges against her be dropped and an end to the persecution of independent journalists in Georgia,” the statement reads.