The International Press Institute (IPI) strongly condemns the recent appeal court verdict upholding the two-year prison sentence handed down to IPI member and World Press Freedom Hero Mzia Amaglobeli.

IPI continues to demand its overturn and Mzia’s immediate release.

“Since her arrest and politically-motivated prosecution, Mzia, co-founder and director of two of Georgia’s most prominent independent media outlets, Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has become a symbol for the fight for press freedom and democracy in Georgia, where the ruling Georgian Dream party is deepening its authoritarian crackdown on dissent.”

“As the legal case continues, IPI will continue to closely monitor the trial, advocate for Mzia’s immediate release and defend press freedom in Georgia. If domestic remedies are exhausted, IPI will support taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights”, reads the organizations’ statement.