On the night of January 11, Mzia Amaglobeli, founder and head of important independent media „Batumelebi“ and „Netgazeti“, along with nine other demonstrators, was arrested for hanging a poster during a protest rally in Batumi, Georgia.
Within hours, four of the rally participants were released, but Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested again shortly thereafter, this time at a rally in front of the Adjara Police Headquarters. Law enforcement officers are accusing her of committing a crime under Part I of Article 353 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to assaulting a police officer. The article carries a sentence of 4 to 7 years in prison.
„Batumelebi“ reports that during the rally, someone grabbed Amaglobeli's hand, she attempted to free herself, and in the process, accidentally struck a police officer.
PEN Georgia views this incident as another attack on freedom of press and calls on the authorities to immediately release Mzia Amaglobeli and the other detainees, arrested during the rally.
On the night of January 11, Mzia Amaglobeli, founder and head of important independent media „Batumelebi“ and „Netgazeti“, along with nine other demonstrators, was arrested for hanging a poster during a protest rally in Batumi, Georgia.
Within hours, four of the rally participants were released, but Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested again shortly thereafter, this time at a rally in front of the Adjara Police Headquarters. Law enforcement officers are accusing her of committing a crime under Part I of Article 353 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to assaulting a police officer. The article carries a sentence of 4 to 7 years in prison.
„Batumelebi“ reports that during the rally, someone grabbed Amaglobeli's hand, she attempted to free herself, and in the process, accidentally struck a police officer.
PEN Georgia views this incident as another attack on freedom of press and calls on the authorities to immediately release Mzia Amaglobeli and the other detainees, arrested during the rally.