UK embassy in Georgia: Amaglobeli's sentence 'disproportionate' and politically motivated

UK embassy condemns Amaglobeli’s sentence

The UK embassy in Georgia has described the sentence handed down to journalist Mzia Amaglobeli as disproportionate and politically motivated, and has called for her immediate release.

“A year ago today Mzia Amaglobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist, was sentenced to two years in prison. We remain concerned that her sentence is disproportionate and politicised and call again for her immediate release,” the embassy’s post on Facebook read.

Everything you need to know about case against Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli

The hearing lasted nine hours. The lawyer called the trial historic and spoke of falsifications in the case. The verdict in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case is expected on August 4

Mzia Amaglobeli was sentenced on 6 August 2025.

The journalist was arrested on 11 January 2025 on charges of assaulting Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze. On 14 January, Batumi City Court granted the prosecution’s request to remand her in custody pending trial.

The defence’s requests to have the pre-trial detention measure changed were rejected by the courts. Batumi City Court ruled the request inadmissible, while on 19 February 2025 Kutaisi Court of Appeal upheld the decision to keep Amaglobeli in pre-trial detention.

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According to Nona Kurdovanidze, chair of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, the court relied on a falsified protocol when justifying her pre-trial detention.

Following her arrest, Mzia Amaghlobeli went on a hunger strike that lasted 38 days. On 18 February 2025, it was announced that she had ended the hunger strike and resumed eating under medical supervision.