Georgian journalist Mziya Amaglobeli left in custody

A judge of the Batumi City Court has found the defence’s motion to change the pre-trial restriction measure for Mziya Amaglobeli, the founder of the “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti” online publications, not acceptable. The defence has announced an intention to lodge an appeal against the court’s decision.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that Mziya Amaglobeli’s advocates filed a motion to the court with a request to change the pre-trial restriction measure for their client and release her from custody. Mziya Amaglobeli continues a hunger strike in a clinic.

“The advocates’ motion to change the pre-trial restriction measure for Mziya Amaglobeli has been found not acceptable by a judge of the Batumi City Court. This is another unlawful court’s decision with respect to Mziya Amaglobeli. There are no grounds that would justify her detention,” wrote on Facebook* Nona Kurdovanidze, the head of the “Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association” (GYLA) NGO.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that after the arrest of Mziya Amaglobeli, actions of protest against her criminal prosecution took place in Georgia. In their statement. more than 300 Georgian journalists called Mziya Amaglobeli a prisoner of conscience.

*On March 21, 2022, the Tverskoi Court of Moscow banned the activities in Russia of the Meta Company, owning the Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, in connection with extremist activities.