A solidarity rally in support of Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, is taking place near the rear entrance of the Georgian Parliament.

Mzia Amaglobeli’s colleagues are among the participants, demanding the release of “unjustly detained individuals.”

Journalists at the rally have brought banners with slogans such as: “Freedom for Mzia Amaglobeli, the head of "Netgazeti" and "Batumelebi",” and “Freedom for the political prisoners of Ivanishvili’s regime!”

Screenwriter Keti Devdariani, speaking at the rally, stated that Mzia Amaglobeli has become a symbol of unjust persecution.

“We are protesting against the illegal detention of Mzia Amaglobeli. The unlawful arrest of a journalist is the worst possible sign.

Our demand is her release. We are expressing our protest against everything happening in the country. Mzia Amaglobeli is a symbol of this unjust persecution,” said Devdariani.

The police are mobilized on-site, forming a live cordon at the entrance of the legislative building.

For context, Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder and director of Netgazeti and Batumelebi, was detained on January 11 in Batumi. The Batumi City Court imposed pre-trial detention as a preventive measure. The decision was made by Judge Nino Sakhelashvili.

Mzia Amaglobeli is charged under Article 353^1 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to assaulting a police officer.