According to Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, the Sakharov Prize will be especially significant if everyone—colleagues, “prisoners of conscience,” and citizens—considers it their own victory.

As Amaghlobeli notes in her letter, now is not the time for sentiments but for struggle.

Amaghlobeli writes that if this award serves as a hope that the struggle will end in victory, then it all has meaning.

“This prize will be especially significant to me if everyone involved in this struggle—my brave colleagues, prisoners of conscience, every citizen, everyone who protests injustice even at the cost of their freedom—considers this prize their own.

I believe now is not the time for sentiments, and the fight only ends when we win. In this struggle, we should not look for enemies within, as the only enemy is Russia and those who serve it.

I remember how Eter and I founded Batumelebi with nothing but enthusiasm and ideals, at a time when a Russian tank stood in Adjara, and to reach the capital, we had to cross their border. We overcame that, and it gives me hope that Russian rule will not prevail in Georgia.

If this award becomes a sign for people that values ultimately triumph, that the sacrifices each person makes are ultimately valued, then all of this has meaning.

If those young girls, including my young colleagues, who are dragged by police to stations, then to court, and then from prison to prison—sometimes leaving a minor child on the street or alone at home because they are already 12 years old—consider this prize theirs, then everything has had meaning.

If this award gives them hope that their struggle will end in victory, then, of course, all of this has meaning. Now, the most important thing is to carry the voice of this struggle everywhere. Students, lecturers, especially those studying abroad, everyone must convey their voice to their professors, friends, acquaintances, and colleagues about how people fight on Rustaveli Avenue every day. Our voice must be heard everywhere outside the country—in every university, lecture hall, and conference—as this is the main guarantee of our survival.

And most importantly—the fact that the voice of this struggle is heard today is solely due to the relentless fight of my colleagues, and that is why this prize belongs to them.

Please, carry the voice of this struggle beyond the country’s borders in whatever way you can,” reads Mzia Amaghlobeli’s letter, published by Batumelebi.