Georgia jails journalist following protest altercation

A leading independent journalist in Georgia, Mzia Amaghlobeli, has been sentenced to two years in prison. The sentencing comes after an altercation with a police officer during an anti-government demonstration. The case has prompted widespread attention from international observers, who view the decision as an example of the government’s increasing efforts to suppress media freedoms.

The ruling 

Amaghlobeli originally faced a charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer. The accusation carries up to seven years in prison, however, during her sentencing, the charge was downgraded. Rather than being convicted of assault, she was found guilty of “resistance, threats or violence against a defender of public order or other government official.” Despite being a lesser charge, it still led to a two-year sentence.

Global reactions 

The verdict drew criticism from international press organizations, who called the sentence excessive and politically motivated. “We condemn this arbitrary decision at the end of a trial marked by irregularities,” said Jeanne Cavelier from Reporters Without Borders. “The charges are disproportionate, as a slap does not constitute a criminal offense, and her two-year prison sentence represents a new step in the government’s use of the justice system to silence critical voices. We call on the authorities to put an end to this travesty of justice and to free this journalist at once.”

Defense challenges the ruling

Amaghlobeli’s defense argued that she was caught up seeing friends and fellow activists being detained. They say her actions were a spontaneous reaction. Her attorney, Maia Mtsariashvili, criticized the investigation and trial process, arguing they were politically charged and lacking in fairness. “In reality, this isn’t a verdict, but a demonstrative act of punishment,” Mtsariashvili told OC Media. “It makes no difference whether [the sentence] would be four years or two years. The court, and behind the court — you know who I mean — the entire government was involved in a slanderous campaign against Mzia.”

Allegations of abuse 

Amaghlobeli’s legal troubles began earlier in the year, when she was first arrested for placing a protest sticker on a government building. A second arrest followed after a verbal confrontation with officers that escalated into a physical encounter. During the incident, she slapped a senior police official who had allegedly used explicit threats against her. Amnesty International has raised concerns about her treatment while in detention. The organization reported that Amaghlobeli was verbally and physically abused while in custody. “Mzia Amaghlobeli was subjected to a litany of abuses at the hands of the police: verbally assaulted, spat on, injured and then refused medical help,” Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s deputy director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said in a statement. “This was admitted by police officers during her trial, yet impunity has prevailed.”

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