"I could spend years in prison because the regime wants it" - Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli’s trial nears its end
The trial of Mzia Amaghlobeli
“Maybe I’ll spend several years in prison just because the regime wants it,” said Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli to the judge during another hearing in her case, held on July 14.
Less than 15 days remain until the trial concludes – Mzia’s verdict will be announced on July 28.
Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder and head of the popular outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has become the first journalist recognized as a prisoner of conscience in Georgia. She was arrested in January 2025 for slapping the chief of police in Batumi during a protest. Law enforcement classified the incident as “assaulting a police officer,” and she now faces a prison sentence of 4 to 7 years. She has remained in custody since her arrest.
Despite requests from her lawyers, the judge did not allow Mzia Amaghlobeli to leave the glass enclosure designated for defendants and give her testimony from the witness stand.
As a result, the journalist’s voice was barely audible in the courtroom. Her colleagues, who regularly attend the trials, wrote on social media that Mzia was visibly nervous, recalling the harsh circumstances of her arrest and mistreatment.
Her voice occasionally cracked, and she seemed choked up. The courtroom was tense and silent, and, according to journalist Zurab Vardiashvili, could have “erupted with anger” at any moment.
The courtroom did not erupt, but one journalist present – who demanded that the accused be allowed to speak louder – was expelled. That journalist moved outside and, armed with a megaphone, continued protesting the judge’s actions.
The noise was clearly heard inside, prompting the court to move the session to a smaller room in a remote wing of the building. Yet the voice of Mzia’s outraged colleague carried through even there.
The court announced that all future hearings in Amaghlobeli’s case would be held in this courtroom, which seats only 20 people.
Mzia Amaghlobeli’s testimony was not broadcast live, and journalists were unable to film it, as filming in courtrooms and even lobbies has been banned since June 30.
What Mzia Amaghlobeli told the court
Mzia Amaghlobeli told the court how many years ago she and her friend Eter Turadze began independent journalism in Ajara, a region in southwestern Georgia, “rejecting the flattering, propagandistic Soviet journalism.”
“Governments don’t tolerate critical journalism, but it’s not so dangerous when a country has an independent judiciary and freedom of speech is protected by law – unlike our current situation,” she said.
According to the journalist, around ten investigators were assigned to her case, but none of them conducted any real investigation. Mzia Amaghlobeli claims that the head of Batumi police, Irakli Dgebuadze – the man she was arrested for slapping – swore to “make her bleed.”
“I don’t know, maybe I’ll spend several years in prison just because the regime wants it,” Mzia Amaghlobeli said.
She also recalled the night of January 11 to 12, when she joined one of the many protests taking place across Georgia at the time. Amaghlobeli says the police were violently suppressing the demonstration, detaining participants without cause and provoking the crowd.
“I remember the commotion. I don’t remember how I ended up surrounded by police and masked men. I felt awful, I don’t know what happened – I was basically one-on-one with the police. It was a show of force. They were pushing me back and forth.
I felt a strong blow to my back, fell, and lost consciousness for a few moments. I don’t know who brought me back,” she said, describing the moment she lost her composure.
The journalist said this is what led her to slap the police chief:
“Have you ever been surprised by your own behavior? Don’t think I regret it. I don’t. If it happened, then it was inevitable – I couldn’t have done otherwise. It was an impulsive reaction to offensive, degrading, arrogant, and mocking treatment.”
Amaghlobeli also recalled how, after her arrest, Irakli Dgebuadze insulted, threatened, and even spat on her.
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Hearing summary
At the July 14 hearing, the judge rejected a motion by Mzia Amaghlobeli’s lawyers to summon Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and MP Nino Tsilosani as witnesses.
Irakli Kobakhidze has repeatedly violated the presumption of innocence in public statements, attempting to convince Georgian Dream supporters that Mzia Amaghlobeli acted on someone’s orders to discredit the police. Nino Tsilosani has made similar claims.
The trial of Mzia Amaghlobeli is nearing its end, with two hearings remaining: on July 21 and July 28, when the verdict is expected to be announced.
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