"I do not consider myself a lawbreaker, because putting up a sticker is not a crime!" – this is what the founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, Mzia Amaghlobeli, stated during a court hearing on an administrative offense.

As Amaghlobeli explained, placing the sticker was an act of solidarity and protest in support of those demonstrators who were unlawfully detained.

"I don’t know how this works in legal practice, but being prosecuted a second time over a single act of putting up a sticker feels unfair to me, and I want you to know that. I also find it insulting that I am being accused of defacing appearance. In the city where I lived, Batumi, I have submitted numerous official requests with my signature to the administration and have obtained permits whenever I knew they were required.

I don’t consider myself a lawbreaker, because putting up a sticker is not a crime — especially not in my case. The message 'Georgia Swears an Oath' is a very noble one. This sticker was an expression of solidarity and protest toward those demonstrators who were illegally detained. I put up the sticker, and that was a form of expression, solidarity, and protest," – said Mzia Amaghlobeli.

For context, the administrative offense case concerns the act of placing a sticker during a protest on January 11 near the main building of the Adjara Police Department.