Tbilisi, 4 October

🔴After freezing the bank accounts of 7 NGOs, the GD propaganda channel, TV Imedi, attempted to portray these organizations as engaged in “state sabotage.” The channel aired documents showing that the CSOs had purchased respirators, protective goggles & other protective items worth $3,230. #Georgia

🗣️"We are serving only public interest that's why even voluntarily in this restrictive and repressive environment we are ready to continue our work," - Tamta Mikeladze speaks about the different repressive mechanisms. batumelebi.ge/articles-in-... #GeorgiaProtests #RepressionInGeorgia #Georgia

🆘Prosecutor’s Office petitioned the court for this measure within the framework of an ongoing investigation into “ mobilizing funds for actions directed against Georgia’s constitutional order and the foundations of national security.” #RepressionInGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests #Georgia

🔴 The #Tbilisi City Court has granted the Prosecutor’s Office’s motion to freeze the bank accounts of 7 CSOs as part of a sabotage investigation. ❌ Authorities allege the groups bought gas masks, goggles, respirators, masks & pepper spray for protesters. #GeorgiaProtests #RepressionInGeorgia

Georgia's imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder of Batumelebi & Netgazeti, has been shortlisted for the 2025 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. She is joined by Ukrainian journalist Maksym Butkevych and Azerbaijani journalist Ulvi Hasanli. The winner will be announced on 29 Sept. #FreeMzia

Congratulations!

🔦“The Light Must Stay On” — on day 267 of #GeorgiaProtests, people marched in support of independent online media. The campaign unites 22 outlets against repressive laws threatening them with financial ruin, raising donations to cover basic needs and remain operational. 🔴 www.sinatle.media

Russian children. They are prepared for war from an early age.

220 days have passed since Mzia Amaghlobeli’s unlawful imprisonment. Under the illegitimate government of the “Georgian Dream,” she is held alongside 64 other political and conscience prisoners.

Georgian activists fighting for their country’s European future

🗣️ "A statement that the war was started by Georgia — no matter how bad a ruler #Georgia had at the time, that ruler still represented Georgia — directly harms Georgia’s territorial integrity and the hope that one day it might be restored," says analyst Kakha Gogolashvili. #Interview👇

🔴 As trials of prisoners of conscience from the pro-European #GeorgiaProtests continue, eight have been convicted by August 12 — all having pleaded not guilty. Two pleaded guilty and sought plea deals but were sentenced without leniency. Only one was acquitted and released in court. #Georgia

🟥Georgian Dream’s PM Irakli Kobakhidze accuses #Georgia of starting the August 2008 Russia-Georgia War 🟥 On the 17th anniversary of #August2008War - August 7, Kobakhidze stated that in 2008 the Georgian government was acting on orders from the “deep state.“ 🧷 batumelebi.netgazeti.ge/articles-in-...

🟥 On the 17th anniversary of the #August2008War, Georgian Dream-appointed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the war an “adventure” by Georgia’s previous government and claimed that the Georgian side was not carrying out a defensive operation, but offensive actions. #Georgia

🟥 Judge Nino Sakhelashvili has sentenced journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to 2yrs in prison, ignoring widespread calls from local and international human rights and press freedom organizations to release her and end what they describe as politically motivated prosecution tied to her journalism. #FreeMzia

Appalling - but unsurprising - news from Georgia today. #MziaAmaglobeli sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment. Mzia is a tenacious journalist & a visionary publisher. I am proud to act as international counsel. I & my Georgian & international colleagues will now be taking urgent steps to #FreeMzia.

🔴 Following the sentencing of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison on what are widely viewed as politically motivated charges, 24 diplomatic missions issued a joint statement calling for her release. #FreeMzia #JournalismIsNotACrime 🧷 batumelebi.netgazeti.ge/articles-in-...

⭕️The Clooney Foundation for Justice expresses concern over the charges brought against Mzia Amaglobeli and the way the proceedings were conducted. #FreeMzia #RepressionInGeorgia #Georgia

🔎 #Armenia and #Azerbaijan have turned their backs on #Russia in the South #Caucasus. So, what role is #Turkey gaining in the region, and what changes for #Georgia if it remains in Russia’s orbit? Batumelebi spoke to expert on Turkey Kamran Osmanli. 🔴Read the interview in English 👇

🗣️"To this day, I struggle to eat. Because I feel disgusted - by everything about this situation.." - On July 14, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli told the court how she was treated after two arrests — for a poster and a slap. 🟥The final hearing is scheduled for August 1st. #FreeMzia #GeorgiaProtests

🟥 When an illegitimate regime persistently violates #humanrights, what should #journalists do? 🟥 Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder of @netgazeti.org is on trial in #Georgia. 🟥 Irma Dimitradze tells her story: open.spotify.com/show/0VqoA7c... @terjehelland.bsky.social @sdoughtymp.bsky.social

🔴 The Revenue Service has expressed its readiness to lift the seizure of Gazeti Batumelebi’s (Batumelebi & Netgazeti) accounts and allow the organization to repay its debt in installments, contingent upon reaching a tax agreement. ❌ However, as of now, no formal communication has been established.

🟥 Batumi, July 21 – As Mzia Amaglobeli was taken back to Rustavi prison, supporters gathered outside #Batumi Court in solidarity. Today, police tried to block them from seeing her off. #FreeMzia #Georgia #MediaUnderAttack

📌 Mzia Amaglobeli was brought to #Batumi Court from Rustavi - 6 hours with no toilet stops. She’ll be taken back the same way after today’s hearing. 📌 For the first time, colleagues weren’t allowed to greet her at the entrance. 📌 Dozens of police are placed outside the court. #Georgia #FreeMzia

🟥“Mzia Amaglobeli isn’t asking for a commuted sentence - she’s asking for justice and a fair decision,” said her lawyer, Maia Mtsariashvili, slammed the prosecution’s offer of a plea deal in exchange for admitting to a “revenge-motivated attack on a police officer.” #FreeMzia #RepressionInGeorgia

🟥Irakli Kobakhidze's Statements on Visa-Free Travel with the EU: Then and Now (2017 vs. 2025) #Georgia faces the risk of losing visa-free travel unless it takes meaningful steps to reverse democratic decline and fully implement the #EU’s recommendations. #RepressionInGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests

🟥Did Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgian Dream just call Donald Trump the “Global War Party”? The Georgian Dream-appointed Prime Minister claimed that increased defense spending by EU countries was demanded by the so-called “Global War Party” - while U.S. President sees it as one of his key achievements.

📢Following the July 14 hearing of jailed journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, international press freedom organizations - @pressfreedom.bsky.social, @globalfreemedia.bsky.social , and ‪‪ @rsf-interfr.bsky.social - issued a joint statement calling for her release. 🧷 cpj.org/2025/07/pres... #FreeMzia

“Mzia, in your darkest moment we stand with you and we will not let go until you are free,” said CPJ’s @gypsyrights.bsky.social outside Women’s Prison where Mzia Amaglobeli is held. Reps from @globalfreemedia.bsky.social, @rsf.org & @pressfreedom.bsky.social visited prison site in act of solidarity

🟥 July 11 marks 6 months since the first unlawful detention of Mzia Amaglobeli, founding CEO of Batumelebi & Netgazeti. Her health is worsening in custody 🟥 Eter Turadze’s July 4 courtroom testimony about Mzia ‼️This is court-provided footage, we dubbed it in English. #FreeMzia #RepressionInGeorgia

🚇 #Tbilisi Metro will purchase 111 new train cars from China’s state-owned CRRC, Mayor Kaladze announced. The tender was won by GT Group, in cooperation with the Chinese manufacturer. Backed by the AIIB, the project will cost hundreds of millions of GEL. #Metro #Georgia #China

🔴 19-Year-Old Saba Jikia Sentenced to 4.5 Years in Prison as Repression Continues in #Georgia. #GeorgiaProtests #RepressionInGeorgia

🚨For 24 years, we have stood by those in need Now we need you - to keep up the fight. With Mzia Amaglobeli jailed, laws weaponized, and journalists attacked, Georgia’s free press is being strangled. We’re risking everything to keep going - but we can’t do it alone. 🛑 Donate. Defend press freedom!

📢Georgian Dream-appointed president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, is promising pardons to imprisoned politicians - but under one condition: ‼️He wants opposition parties to agree to participate in the upcoming local elections. #RepressionInGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests

🔻 Sketches from today’s court hearing of Mzia Amaglobeli - Mzia Amaglobeli - journalist, CEO and co-founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti. ✍️ Illustrator: Ana Janelidze #RepressionInGeorgia #MediaUnderAttack #FreeMzia

⭕️On July 4, the Batumi City Court is holding a hearing in the criminal case against Mzia Amaglobeli - journalist, CEO and co-founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti. Today, the defense witness being questioned is @eturadze.bsky.social, editor-in-chief of Batumelebi. #RepressionInGeorgia

🚨Final hearing scheduled for today: 🕥Saba Jikia -10:30 🕒Giorgi Mindadze - 3:00 🔴 Meanwhile, the citizens - already resigned to the fact that the time for justice has not yet come - is gathering to show support for the prisoners and their families. #RepressionInGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests

🔻 According to the Iranian Embassy, a representative of the “Georgian Dream” government expressed condolences and solidarity over “those killed during the armed attack carried out by the Israeli regime against Iran’s territorial integrity.” #Iran #Georgia

🔴 Hunger strike as the last resort of political protest - following the arrests of opposition leaders and the continued repression on June 27, Elene Khoshtaria, one of the opposition leaders, announced a hunger strike and set up a tent in front of the parliament building. #RepressionInGeorgia

Former MP Givi Targamadze, wanted by Belarus and Russia and reportedly a witness in the ICC case on the #August2008War, was arrested today in Georgia and sentenced to seven months in prison for refusing to appear before the so-called Tsulukiani Commission. He claims the arrest was ordered by Russia

📢 1/4 🧵 According to GYLA, "@echr.coe.int has initiated the examination of the application of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli. In its correspondence, the Court indicates that the case may be granted "impact case" status due to its potential broader significance. #FeeMzia #RepressionInGeorgia

1/6 🟥 On June 23, journalist and founding CEO of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, Mzia Amaglobeli, was once again denied release from pretrial detention. Judge Nino Sakhelashvili cited a 'high risk of reoffending' as the justification for the continued detention. www.freemzia.com #FreeMzia

🗣️“No more talks – it’s time to act. Anything that is possible must be done now. We are strong enough to win this battle together with you!” - Giorgi Vashadze addressed #Georgia’s Western partners before being taken into custody. He was sentenced to 7 months in prison. #RepressionInGeorgia

🔴 Judge Zviad Sharadze sentenced another opposition leader Badri Japaridze to 8 months in prison for refusing to appear before the so-called “Tsulukiani Commission.” Today, Irakli Kobakhidze said: “They don’t recognize (the GD parliament), and they will go to prison.” #RepressionInGeorgia

🔴Judge Jvabe Nachkebia sentenced one of the opposition leaders Zura Japaridze to 7 months in prison and barred him from holding public office for 2 years for refusing to appear before the so-called “Tsulukiani Commission.” Japaridze and his associates did not attend the hearing. #RepressionInGeorgia

🔴 Judge Zviad Sharadze has sentenced one of the opposition leaders Mamuka Khazaradze to 8 months in prison. He announced the verdict without any attendees present in the courtroom. 🚩 Khazaradze was also charged for failing to appear before the so-called “Tsulukiani Commission”. #RepressionInGeorgia

🗣️“Media freedom is not a luxury, it is a democratic necessity; it shines the light where corruption and autocracy hide - and that is precisely why Georgian authorities have imprisoned Mzia Amaglobeli, one of the country’s most respected journalists, for 150 days now,” – MEP Tobias Cramer. #FreeMzia

🗣️“Anything that annoys the govt is a ‘deep state’.. to change this narrative we need to ensure that there is professional, true journalism made by professionals like Mzia Amaglobeli. That’s the only way to counter the fantasies of the authoritarian regime,” – @nachosamor.bsky.social. #FreeMzia

❌ Judge Shota Siradze of Kutaisi Court of Appeals upheld a GEL 2K fine against Mzia Amaglobeli — despite expert reports proving that the video evidence presented by the MIA was recorded after her release from administrative detention and could not depict the events that led to the charges. #FreeMzia