Judge Nino Sakhelashvili of Batumi City Court has imposed pretrial detention on Mzia Amaglobeli, founder and director of the online publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti, as a preventive measure, approving the prosecutors' motion.
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According to the indictment, Mzia Amaglobeli attacked Irakli Dgebuadze, the head of Batumi Police, as an act of retaliation for his official duties, motivated by a desire for revenge. Specifically, "she grabbed his jacket forcefully, turned him toward her, and struck him in the face.
The prosecution argued at the court hearing that Mzia Amaglobeli posed a threat of destroying evidence, going into hiding, and committing new crimes, asserting that imprisonment was the “only appropriate preventive measure” to prevent this." The defense opposed the prosecutors’ arguments and requested Mzia Amaglobeli's release on bail up to GEL 100,000.
According to lawyer Paata Diasamidze, there was no basis for imprisonment. "The prosecution failed to substantiate the need for a more stringent preventive measure, explaining why bail could not be used," Diasamidze stated.
Judge Sakhelashvili's decision was met with protest chants in the courtroom: "slaves," "Russians," and "freedom for Mzia."
According to journalists, the “exemplary punishment” faced by Mzia Amaglobeli is intended to silence critical and independent media. Gela Mtivlishvili, the founder of the Mtis Ambebi online publication, stated, “What we expected has happened. Ivanishvili’s dictatorship is now in control of the country. Today they have illegally arrested Mzia; tomorrow, any of us could be next. Mzia is Ivanishvili's personal prisoner - a prisoner of conscience!”
"This is a trial under a dictatorship. We need to see the whole picture, we need to understand that today Mzia Amaglobeli was put in prison because she is Mzia Amaglobeli, and she has not committed any crime.
Today, these prosecutors, these judges are arresting Mzia Amaglobeli because Bidzina Ivanishvili wants it. Bidzina Ivanishvili is fighting against free media, free society, and free citizens. This is the task," Zviad Koridze noted.
Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested in Batumi on January 11. Initially, she was detained for putting up a poster during a protest outside the Adjara Police Department. After about two hours, she and three other female activists were released. However, she was soon re-arrested on charges of assaulting Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze. During this time, lawyers were not permitted to meet with her for three hours. Mzia Amaglobeli later informed a representative of the Public Defender that she had been mistreated.
Batumelebi has released video footage showing police officers verbally abusing Mzia Amaglobeli after her arrest. The head of Batumi police himself was cursing and threatening him.
The Prosecutor's Office has charged Mzia Amaglobeli under Part 1 of Article 353 prima of the Criminal Code for assaulting a police officer. If convicted, the media manager could face a prison sentence ranging from 4 to 7 years.
A pre-trial hearing in the case will be held on March 4 at 11:00.
