Ivanishvili’s regime is killing freedom and democracy faster than the Kremlin did in Russia – this is how MEP Rasa Juknevičienė responds to the sentencing of Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” to 2 years of imprisonment.

“Mzia Amaghlobeli has just been sentenced to two years of imprisonment. This is not only the political persecution of an excellent journalist. Mzia has become a symbol of Georgia’s fight for a European future. Ivanishvili’s regime is killing freedom and democracy faster than the Kremlin did in Russia,” Rasa Juknevičienė writes on X.

Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” was sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment. The judge changed the charge initially brought under Article 353/1, Part 1 of the Criminal Code to Article 353, Part 1. The latter pertains to resistance against a police officer, a special penitentiary service employee, or another representative of the authorities with the intent to obstruct public order protection, terminate, or alter their activities. The penalties for this offense include a fine, house arrest for up to 2 years, or imprisonment for 2 to 6 years.

Initially, Mzia Amaghlobeli was charged under Article 353/1, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to an attack on a police officer, a special penitentiary service employee, another representative of the authorities, or a public institution. This offense carried a penalty of imprisonment for 4 to 7 years.