European Parliament adopts resolution on media freedom in Georgia, Mzi...
The resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of
Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti online
newspapers, and the dropping of all charges against her.It also urges
the “immediate repeal of all repressive legislation”.“The
European Parliament, having regard to its previous resolutions on
Georgia, having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of
Procedure,A. whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, a journalist and co-founder of
Batumelebi and Netgazeti outlets, was arrested during pro-European
protests on 12 January 2025 and faces four to seven years in prison
for a provoked incident involving a police officer;B. whereas the
adoption of draconian legislation – such as the Foreign Agents
Registration Act (FARA) and amendments to the Law on Broadcasting,
Code of Administrative Offences and Law on Grants – constitutes a
dangerous acceleration of democratic backsliding and deliberate
authoritarian strategy by Georgian Dream to silence critical voices in
civil society and independent media and persecute the political
opposition;C. whereas the authorities have virtually annihilated
remaining independent media outlets in the country; whereas the public
information space is fully dominated by pro-government media,
spreading Russian-style propaganda and anti-European disinformation;D.
whereas in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case, the authorities ignored
procedural safeguards, imposed pre-trial detention without a clear
legal basis, contested by the Public Defender, and assigned a
presiding judge lacking qualifications in criminal law; whereas she is
being punished for exposing corruption and reporting on election fraud
during the 2024 elections;E. whereas she reportedly suffered inhumane
treatment and undertook a 38-day hunger strike;F. whereas Estonia and
Lithuania have imposed personal sanctions on Georgian judges and
police officers linked to Mzia Amaglobeli’s case;1. Demands Mzia
Amaglobeli’s immediate and unconditional release and the withdrawal
of all charges against her, and denounces her politically motivated
arrest and prosecution;2. Strongly condemns the Georgian Dream
regime’s systemic assault on democratic institutions, political
opposition, independent media, civil society and judicial
independence;3. Expresses deep concern over arbitrary detentions and
the harassment of, and violence against, journalists in Georgia,
including smear campaigns, legal persecution, abuse and gender-based
violence in detention; calls for independent investigations and urges
the authorities to immediately end intimidation and ensure
journalists’ safety and freedom;4. Urges the Georgian authorities to
release all political prisoners and other illegally detained persons
without delay, including activist Mate Devidze, opposition leaders
Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia and Nika Gvaramia, and former President
Mikheil Saakashvili, and denounces the violent abduction of UNM Chair
Tina Bokuchava’s husband and the reported threats to her
children’s safety;5. Calls for the immediate repeal of all
repressive legislation, the restoration of democracy, and full
protection of media freedom and civil liberties;6. Calls for the EU to
step up support for Georgia’s independent media and civil society
following the entry into force of the FARA, and monitor ongoing
trials;7. Regrets the persistent inaction of the Council, Member
States and Commission and reiterates its repeated call on Member
States to impose bilateral sanctions against Georgian Dream leaders
and officials responsible for democratic backsliding;8. Instructs its
President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission,
the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of
Europe, the OSCE, President Zourabichvili, and the self-appointed
authorities of Georgia”, - the document reads.
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