The Ministry of Internal Affairs has filed an administrative offence protocol against nine participants of a protest meeting held for 30 minutes near the judge's house in Kutaisi, concerning the illegal imprisonment of Mzia Amaglobeli.
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The police has accused the following individuals of violating the law:
- Gela Mtivlishvili – Journalist and editor of Georgian News / Mountain Stories
- Nino Katamadze – Musician and founder of the Nino Katamadze Foundation
- Vladimer Apkhazava – Teacher, National Teacher Prize winner
- Khvicha Vashakmadze - Journalist
- Ketevan Filauri – Psychologist
- Maia Tsiramua – Psychologist
- Irina Zarandia – Civil activist
- Givi Tsintsadze – Member of the Lanchkhuti City Council
- Eka Kukhalashvili – Journalist for the Kutaisi Post
The third part of Article 174 Prima of the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia stipulates detention for up to 15 days. Recent amendments to the Code state that the same action will result in a fine of 5,000 GEL or imprisonment for up to 60 days.
The hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 10, at 12:00 PM at the Kutaisi City Court. Judge Tsitsino Mosidze will consider the case.
On January 26, a protest was held outside the home of Malkhaz Okropirashvili, the chairman of the investigative board of the Kutaisi Court of Appeal. However, the Kutaisi police decided to take action only on February 6. This is documented in a report by Davit Dvalishvili, Deputy Chief of the 1st Police Department of the Kutaisi City Police. In the report, dated February 6, he informs the head of the department, Manuchar Nikoladze:
“I would like to report that on January 26, while performing my official duties alongside my colleague, Police Major Giorgi Nachkebia, I observed a group of citizens gathered in front of Malkhaz Okropirashvili's house at approximately 7:50 PM. The protesters were demonstrating against the outcome of the appeal consideration for the detained journalist Mzia Amaglobeli. I am submitting this report for your further action.”
On February 5, the Georgian Dream party announced its intention to adopt new legislation that will restrict media freedoms.
Malkhaz Okropirashvili is the judge who dismissed the appeal of Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, concerning her unlawful arrest. As a result, Mzia remains in politically motivated detention.
Mzia Amaglobeli has been on a hunger strike for 28 days. Due to her declining health, she has been transferred from prison to a medical center. The prosecutor's office has charged her with assaulting a police officer for slapping the police chief. If convicted, Mzia Amaglobeli faces a prison sentence of 4 to 7 years.
Lawyers from the Social Justice Center will defend the interests of the protest participants in court.
