"I do not and will not accept the charges. I consider myself an unlawful prisoner," stated Batumelebi and Netgazeti founder Mzia Amaghlobeli in a letter released from the courtroom.

Amaghlobeli expressed confidence that she would be able to prove her innocence.

"I do not and will not accept the charges. I consider myself an unlawful prisoner. Fortunately, dictatorship has not fully taken root in our homeland, which is why I believe that both I and other prisoners of conscience will be able to prove our innocence," she wrote in the letter, which was shared by Batumelebi on social media.

It is worth noting that Amaghlobeli released her statement in writing after a technical issue in the courtroom prevented her verbal statement from being heard.