“I cannot reconcile myself with being a defendant — my imprisonment is a decision of the regime. Rarely has a week passed without those in power, the leaders of ‘Georgian Dream,’ attacking me from propaganda broadcasts,” said Batumelebi and Netgazeti founder Mzia Amaghlobeli, who is currently in detention, during a hearing at the Kutaisi Court of Appeals.

According to Amaghlobeli, her case has nothing to do with justice: “I cannot accept being in the position of a defendant, but the city court found me guilty of slapping someone. Judge Samelashvili sentenced me to two years in prison. Perhaps there are people who think I should be grateful for this decision, comparing it to what the prosecution demanded. I don’t think there are many such people, but I want to tell them — this case has nothing to do with justice, neither the prosecution nor the judge.”

She added: “My imprisonment is a political decision by the regime. It’s rare for a week to go by without ‘Georgian Dream’ leaders attacking me in propaganda media. There is no greater evil than an unjust court. We must not accept it — that’s why I’m here, appealing the Batumi City Court’s decision and demanding a fair ruling.”

Radio Liberty reported her remarks from the courtroom.

The Prosecutor’s Office is seeking to toughen the charges against Amaghlobeli under Article 353¹, Part 1 of the Criminal Code.

The Kutaisi Court of Appeals is currently reviewing Amaghlobeli’s appeal. The hearing is being presided over by a judicial panel chaired by Judge Nikoloz Margvelashvili.

Her defense lawyers have requested a larger courtroom, and the judge noted that the issue has been discussed and future hearings may be held in a more spacious hall.