Irakli Dgebuadze: I had no idea about this person's profession before the arrest of Mzia Amaglobali – I don't think being a journalist gives anyone the right to attack a police officer and hit them in the face

Before the arrest of Mzia Amaglobali, I had no idea about this person’s profession. I don’t think being a journalist gives anyone the right to attack a police officer and hit them in the face, – stated the head of the Batumi Division of the Adjara Police Department, Irakli Dgebuadze, during the court hearing.

As Dgebuadze noted, he had no negative feelings toward Mzia Amaglobali as a person or regarding her profession.

“I often follow the phrases and texts voiced in the media, as if I had some kind of aggression toward Ms. Mzia — either personally or, as I later learned, in connection with her journalistic activity. I have absolutely friendly and very good relationships with every journalist working in this city. In general, I respect this profession and have friendly relations with journalists not only in Batumi but everywhere. I want to emphasize that before the arrest of Mzia Amaglobali, I had no idea what her profession was. However, even if I had known she was a journalist during her actions, I believe my colleagues would have responded the same way. I don’t think being a journalist gives anyone the right to attack a police officer, hit them in the face, and so on.

Neither I, Irakli Dgebuadze, nor any of the officers present at the scene had any negative feelings toward Mzia Amaglobali as a person or regarding her profession — not before the incident and not at the moment when she committed that act,” said Irakli Dgebuadze.