Statement by Journalists, Editors, and Media Managers on the Arrest of Mzia Amaghlobeli and the Deteriorating Media Environment in Georgia

Divider dot 28 January 2025

Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and manager of online publications “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” is the first female journalist prisoner of conscience in Georgia. 

Mzia Amaghlobeli is being punished by the regime of oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who earned his billions in Russia, for her impartial journalism and exemplary civil activism. She did not commit the criminal offense she was charged with by Ivanishvili’s regime. 

Since January 12, when the oligarch detained our colleague Mzia Amaghlobeli, every one of us faces the threat of arrest for our professional activities.

Under the rule of the Georgian Dream government, the media environment in Georgia has sharply deteriorated in recent years. In addition to the threat to independent media organizations created by the “Russian style law on the transparency of foreign influence,” adopted in the summer of 2024, verbal abuse and physical violence against journalists by representatives of the authorities have become alarmingly frequent. Additionally, Russian-style repressions against journalists have started.

During the coverage of pro-European protests in November and December 2024, more than 90 instances of violence against journalists by the regime’s special forces and police were recorded. None of these incidents have been investigated or prosecuted by the Georgian Dream investigative bodies, leaving the perpetrators unpunished. 

In 2024-2025, the oligarch’s regime arrested numerous journalists on administrative charges only to release them after imposing fines or brief administrative detentions.

The fact that Mzia Amaghlobeli has been arrested on criminal charges demonstrates that the oligarch’s regime has entered a new phase in its persecution of critical journalists. This involves imprisoning journalists based on fabricated charges, as has occurred in recent years in Russia, Belarus, and neighboring Azerbaijan.

We demand the immediate release of the prisoner of conscience, Mzia Amaghlobeli! We call on international organizations protecting journalists’ rights and representatives of friendly countries’ diplomatic corps to raise their voices against the mass persecution of journalists by Bidzina Ivanishvili’s regime and to protect media representatives in Georgia.

Signatories:

Kamila Mamedova, Radio Marneuli

Laura Gogoladze, Chemi Kharagauli

Maia Metskhvarishvili, Studio Monitor

David Mchedlidze, Rustavi Media Group

Khatia Lomidze, Media Checker

Boris Sajaia, Media Checker

Lia Chakhunashvili, Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Theo Kavtaradze, Studio Monitor

Tamara Mshvenieradze, Public Broadcaster, Real Space

Bela Zakaidze, Public Broadcaster, Moambe

Sopho Aptsiauri, Project 64

Rusa Kvinikadze, Public Broadcaster, Real Space

Elene Zakashvili, Project 64

Nino Lomadze, Indigo

Giorgi Gogua, Project 64

Omar Tsotsoria, Public Broadcaster, Real Space

Nata Dzvelishvili, Indigo

Tamar Babuadze, Indigo

Eter Turadze, Batumelebi

Shevleg Gegchkori, Georgian Radio

Mariam Bogveradze, OC Media

Nino Khozrevanidze, Formula

Natia Shavadze, Journalist

Levan Sutidze, Tabula

Mamuka Kuparadze, Studio Re

Maia Shonia, Studio Re

Manana Ghoghoberidze, ai, fact

Nanuka Bregadze, ai, fact

Ekaterine Kopaliani, Journalist

Luka Pertaia, Journalist

Nana Biganishvili, Studio Monitor

Sopho Afriamashvili, Journalist

Nino Dadvani

Ketevan Vashagashvili

Nene Dalakishvili, Formula

Zura Dvali, Studio Re

Vancent Khabeishvili, News.on.ge

Giorgi Mgeladze, Journalist

Eter Midelashvili, Journalist

Mariam Kachkachishvili, Journalist

Natia Mikhelidze, ai, fact

Nina Baidauri, Netgazeti

Zurab Vardiashvili, Publika

Thea Adeishvili, Mtavari Arkhi

Eka Saria, Mtavari Arkhi, Postfactum

Eka Kadagishvili, Journalist

Tinatin Peikrishvili, Journalist

Manana Manjgaladze, BMG

Giga Gelkhviidze, CNews.ge

Irina Makaridze, CNews.ge

Mariam Takidze, April

Salome Gorgodze, Publika

Lika Zakashvili, Publika, Editor-in-Chief

Natia Amiranashvili, Publika, Editor

Gela Mtivlishvili, Mtis Ambebi, Editor

Mamuka Mgaloblishvili, Publika

Mariam Nikuradze, OC Media

Mamuka Andghuladze, Media Advocacy Coalition

Tamar Gegidze, April

Mariam Gabelaia, April

Tatia Shurghaia, April

Nino Kakhishvili, Netgazeti

Natia Tskipurishvili, Netgazeti

Tinatin Dvalishvili, Media Manager

Gulo Kokhodze, Samkhertis Karibche

Zaza Karchiladze, Broadcaster

Nana Chkhikvishvili, Guria News

Maka Tsnobiladze, Jamnews

Lia Shavgulidze, Public Broadcaster

Elisabed Zubashvili

Sandro Jufalakiani

Tinatin Macharashvili, Media Researcher

Konstantine Stalinski, Netgazeti

Ninia Kakabadze, Media Checker

Nino Narimanishvili, Jamnews

Natia Inauri, Interpressnews

Natasha Khubaev-Shtikova, Jamnews

Sopho Bukia, Jamnews

Natia Kuprashvili, GRC

Dachi Grdzelishvili

Tamar Rukhadze, Journalist

Tinatin Zazadze, Samkhertis Karibche

Nunu [Nuka] Stepnadze, Samkhertis Karibche

Alexander Keshelashvili, Publika

Giorgi Giorgashvili, Project 64

Eliso Jariashvili, Journalist

Nino Chichua, Netgazeti

Beka Beridze, Project 64

Mikheil Gvadzabia, OC Media

Giorgi Kvizhinadze, Formula

Tamar Robakidze, Journalist

Maia Tsiklauri, Jamnews

Lamuna Iremashvili, Tok.tv

Natalia Vakhtangashvili, Journalist

Zviad Koridze, Journalist

Nino Shubitidze, Studio Monitor

Nino Tsverava, Studio Monitor

Nestan Tsetskhladze, Netgazeti

Magda Gugulashvili, Journalist

Gia Gogatishvili, Journalist

Tamta Nachkebia, Publika

Tamar Bagashvili, Formula

Maka Pankvelashvili, Formula

Salome Chaduneli, Radio Liberty

Nina Kheladze, GRC/Tok.tv

Irma Charakashvili, GRC/GARB

Maia Ivelashvili, tv9news.ge

Gogi Gvakharia, Radio Liberty

Tamar Jincharadze, TV Pirveli

Manana Eliashvili, TV Pirveli

Guga Archvadze, TV Pirveli

Inga Grigolia, TV Pirveli

Tatia Tumanishvili, TV Pirveli

Alexander Nabakhteveli, TV Pirveli

Maka Chikhladze, TV Pirveli

Maka Andronikashvili, TV Pirveli

Nodar Meladze, TV Pirveli

Mariam Gaprindashvili, TV Pirveli

Tamta Dolenjashvili, TV Pirveli

Nino Arazashvili, TV Pirveli

Magda Sabashvili, TV Pirveli

Liza Mosidze, TV Pirveli

Tamar Kalandadze, TV Pirveli

Ana Tsereteli, TV Pirveli

Vika Bukia, TV Pirveli

Taso Tkeshelashvili, TV Pirveli

Nino Gvedashvili, TV Pirveli

Lika Jankarashvili, TV Pirveli

Ana Mdivani, TV Pirveli

Gvantsa Berukashvili, TV Pirveli

Ina Tsartsidze, TV Pirveli

Zaal Udumashvili, TV Pirveli

Eko Maghradze, TV Pirveli

Giorgi Darjania, TV Pirveli

Gvantsa Chkhikvadze, TV Pirveli

Khatia Samkharadze, TV Pirveli

Irma Stepnadze-Iashvili, TV Pirveli

Saba Tsitsikashvili, Qartli.ge

Tamar Nozadze, TV Formula

Ekaterine Samkharadze, TV Formula

Cesili Bochoidze, TV Formula

Ana Makharadze, TV Formula

Maia Chapodze, TV Formula

Nata Koridze, Civil.ge, Managing Editor

Ia Goliadze, Journalist

Levan Uridia, Public Broadcaster Adjara Television and Radio News Journalist

Nino Tarkhnishvili, Radio Liberty

From Rusu Gvaramadze, tv9news.ge

Eka Kevanishvili, Radio Liberty

Toma Begiashvili, Radio Liberty

Teimuraz Inasaridze, Samkhretis kaibche

Shorena Glonti, journalist

Khatia Mumladze, Mosaic News Agency

Gvantsa Doluashvili, Mosaic News Agency

Ana Jioshvili, Mosaic News Agency

Landa Birtvelishvili, Mosaic News Agency

Mariam Pataraia, Kutaisipost

Ketevan Gelashvili, Kutaisipost

Eka Kukhalashvili, Kutaisipost

Tekla Morgoshia, Kutaisipost

Giorgi Isakadze, BMG

Telara Gelantia, BMG

Anna Lapiashvili, BMG

Nino Tabatadze, BMG

Shota Tkeshelashvili, BMG

Giga Benia, BM

Elene Kvanchilashvili, BMG

Natia Taktakishvili, BMG

Tamuna Mukbaniani, BMG

Maryam Varadashvili, BMG

Nutsa Shubashvili, BMG

Salome Khidureli, BMG

Tinatin Natmeladze, BMG

Maryam Titvinidze, BMG

Teona Kharabadze, Public Broadcaster Adjara Television and Radio

Maia Mamulashvili, Kakhetis Khma

Natalia Tsiskarashvili, Kakhetis Khma

Maryam Okrotsvaradze, Kakhetis Khma

Maka Khaziuri, Kakhetis Khma

Ia Mamaladze, Guria News

Giorgi Sikharulidze, Guria News

Akaki Sikharulidze, Guria News

Nazibrola Rekhviashvili, Factcheck.ge

Nino Kapanadze, Chemi Kharagauli

Gia Khasia, Atinati

Rusudan Kalichava, Atinati

Maia Pipia, Atinati

Tinatin Bekia, Atinati

Vika Ubilava, Atinati

Sulkhan Meskhidze, Adjara Times

Irina Kurua, Public Broadcaster Adjara Television and Radio

Nino Artmeladze, Batumelebi

Nana Kvachadze, Batumelebi

Manana Kvelishvili, Batumelebi

Lela Dumbadze, Batumelebi

Tedo Jorbenadze, Batumelebi

Shorena Amaglobeli, Batumelebi

Roin Gundadze, Batumelebi

Irma Dimitradze, Batumelebi

Archil Kakhadze, Batumelebi

Mariam Mutidze, Batumelebi

Tsago Kakhaberidze, Batumelebi

Ia Prangishvili, Batumelebi

Jaba Ananidze, Batumelebi

Guram Murvanidze, Batumelebi

Irma Zoidze, Studio REC

Maia Merkviladze, Editor of Public Broadcaster Adjara Radio

Teona Turmanidze, Public Broadcaster, correspondent of Adjara Television and Radio of the Public Broadcaster

Zaira Lomadze, employee of the online service of the Public Broadcaster

Tekla Mchedlidze, producer of the radio of the Public Broadcaster

Davit Trapaidze, head of the radio broadcasting service of the Public Broadcaster

Maia Varshanidze, editor and host of the socio-political program of the Public Broadcaster Adjara Radio

Vladimer Menabde, Guriis Moambe

Giorgi Diasamidze, Radio Liberty

Lasha Zarginava, editor/host of analytical programs of the Public Broadcaster Adjara Television and Radio

Nino Gelashvili, Radio Liberty

Luba Giorgadze, journalist of Channel 9

Lela Kunchulia, Radio Liberty

Sopho Zurabiani, TV Formula

Guram Rogava, TV Formula

Khatuna Saghinadze, TV Formula

Giorgi Girkelidze, Guria News

Mariam Makasarashvili, TV Pirveli

Diana Trapaidze, TV Pirveli

Natalia Kajaia, TV Pirveli

Tekla Donadze, TV Pirveli

Ana Akhalaia, TV Pirveli

Rusudan Dumbadze, TV Pirveli

Sophio Niauri, TV Pirveli

Nanuka Kajaia, TV Pirveli

Thea Tsetskhladze, TV Pirveli

Kristine Marabian, Jnews

Riba Gharibiani, Jnews

Shushan Shirinian, Jnews

Gevorg Janoian, Jnews

Fenia Torosian, Jnews

Aghunik Ayvazian, Jnews

Ani Minasian, Jnews

Ekaterine Shanidze, TV Formula

Natalia Barbakadze, News Agency “Spektri”, Editor

Nugzar Asatiani, Editor of the newspaper “Alioni”

Tinatin Akhvlediani, Mega TV

Tamar Kavtaradze, Mega TV

Mariam Jachvadze, Chai Khana Media

Elene Khachapuridze, Chai Khana Media

Sophio Khuntsaria, TV Formula

Giorgi Morchiladze, TV Kavkasia

Saba Bedineishvili, TV Kavkasia

Ana Glunchadze, TV Kavkasia

Nino Kodalashvili, TV Kavkasia

Nino Jangirashvili, TV Kavkasia

Sparkling Shermadini, Studio Monitor

Gvantsa Pipia, Accent News

Tea Giligashvili, Mtavari Arkhi

Gigla Tumanishvili, Mtavari Arkhi

Natia Trapaidze, Mtavari Arkhi

Zhanna Akopashvili, Mtavari Arkhi

Nino Balanchivadze, Mtavari Arkhi

Tea Inasaridze, Mtavari Arkhi

Davit Kobidze, Mtavari Arkhi

Ninutsa Kekelia, Mtavari Arkhi

Irakli Bakhtadze, Mtavari Arkhi

Dea Mamiseishvili, Mtavari Arkhi

Nanuka Maghlakelidze, Mtavari Arkhi

Nino Gazdeliani, Mtavari Arkhi

Nino Samkurashvili, Mtavari Arkhi

Keti Kebadze, Mtavari Arkhi

Davit Eradze, Mtavari Arkhi

Nina Machabeli, Mtavari Arkhi

Nino Zhizhiashvili, Mtavari Arkhi

Natia Kokosadze, Mtavari Arkhi

Ramaz Khatiashvili, Mtavari Arkhi

Maka Jakhua, Director of Radio Green Wave

Natia Zoidze, TV Formula

Tamuna Chikhladze, TV Formula

Teona Bakuridze, TV Formula

Eka Pkhakadze, TV Formula

Giorgi Dvalishvili, ATSSU

Khvicha Vashakmadze, Kutaisipost

Irakli Vachiberadze, Mtavari Arkhi

Guliza [NATO] Gubeladze, Regional Media House “P.S.” Founder and Editor-in-Chief

Nino Ramishvili, Studio Monitor

Vladimer Chkhitunidze, Radio Marneuli

Tiko Davadze, Radio Marneuli

Irakli Mskhiladze, Adjara Television

Nino Zuriashvili, Studio Monitor

Marika Dudunia, Studio Monitor

Zaza Tsuladze, Studio Monitor

Gela Bochikashvili, Radio Liberty

Tamar Gelashvili, Studio Monitor

Lika Antadze, Chai Khana Media

Davit Kokoshvili, Netgazeti

Keti Tutberidze, Studio Monitor

Nino Vashalomidze, TV Guria

Irakli Machitadze, Radio “Dzveli Kalaki”

Merab Metreveli, Palitra news

Khatia Ghoghoberidze, Media April

Zura Modebadze, Studio Monitor

Tatia Nikoladze, Jamnews

Mamuka Kantaria, Guria Today

Irakli Absandze, Journalist

Gvantsa Nadibaidze, Indigo

Saba Sordia, Indigo

Germane Salia, 9th Wave, Poti

Ia Bobokhidze, Chairwoman of the Regional Media Association

Sopho Vardiashvili, TV Formula

Nana Intskirveli, TV Formula

Manon Bokuchava, Kvemo Kartli Media

Tamta Dolidze, TV Guria

Giorgi Targamadze, TV Formula

Keti Nadibaidze, TV Formula

Tiko Nodia, Metronome

Eka Mishveladze, TV Pirveli

Khatuna Jangirashvili, TV Kavkas

Tamta Kakhaberidze, Netgazeti

Nona Mchedlishvili, Radio Liberty

Tamta Janadze, News.on.ge

Imeda Darsalia, Ra Media Global

Tamar Chavchanidze, TV Formula

Luka Khachidze, TV Formula

Tamar Kvachantiradze, Commersant

Kristina Kvachantiradze