Today, the movement towards the European Union is being responded with repression in my homeland - I would like European leaders to use all the existing mechanisms at their disposal to influence autocratic rulers. I would like Georgian society, its aspirations for democracy and Europe to be protected, as they would protect the freedom of their own country, - the founder of Batumelebi, Mzia Amaglobeli, says in a letter sent from prison, which was read by Batumelebi journalist Irma Dimitradze in the European Parliament.

As Mzia Amaglobeli writes, "Our freedom does not depend on our struggle alone. We need the solidarity and support of you, the peoples of Europe and the free people of the civilized world."

“Dear MEPs, it is a great honor and responsibility to receive this most important human rights award – I accept it on behalf of my colleagues, the journalists who are fighting to save journalism in Georgia today. They are fighting to make the voices of Georgian citizens’ resistance heard. I accept this award on behalf of all those political prisoners who are unjustly serving their sentences in prisons and are “suspects” in the fight for Georgia’s European future.

My people have come a long way to make this voice heard, because Russia has always stood among us. My generation knows very well that Georgia’s enemy is Russia, and we do not need the help of historical sources for this. We have seen and remember with our own eyes the years of Soviet occupation, Georgians beaten with shovels and poisoned with chemical weapons by Russian soldiers, we remember the August 2008 war and the re-occupation of Georgia. Against the backdrop of constant Russian threats, we directed all our efforts, as best we could, towards the development of the state.

We saw the importance of our own vote in the elections, we created an environment for higher education without corruption, sought impartiality of the court and media, discussed the protection of human rights, the state's obligations and the responsibility of citizens.

During these years, new generation grew up in Georgia that learned English and other European languages ​​instead of Russian. Europe became acquainted with modern Georgian writers, artists and directors. We exchanged knowledge, experience and culture with you, Europe. We found jobs, beloved cities and friends in Europe.

Today, the aspiration towards the European Union is being responded to with repression in my homeland. The power is seized with a regime that promotes Russian interests. For more than a year, Georgian citizens have been continuously protesting in the streets against the announcement to suspend the process of joining the European Union. This statement was like a fire – Georgia caught fire and we have been burning ever since. This regime is ruthless: it beats, poisons, fines, imprisons and blackmails protestors. It destroys free journalism, abolishes opposition political parties and imprisons their leaders, effectively abolishes non-governmental organizations, declares the people working there as agents and, as we recently learned from a BBC investigative film, allegedly poisons citizens with chemical weapons. However, it still failed to suppress the protests. Perhaps that is why such clear statements of support are being heard from the European Union for the Georgian people, for Georgian society, as never before. I am very grateful for this.

I would like these statements to be translated into action and for European leaders to use all the existing mechanisms they have to influence the autocratic rulers. I would like them to defend Georgian society and its aspirations for democracy and Europe as they would defend the freedom of their own country. Because in the end, everything comes down to one thing: it should now be beyond doubt that the power behind the horrors committed in Belarus, Ukraine, and Georgia is approaching the heart of Europe. It is heading towards your homes. And we are simply an obstacle in its path.

Soon, a large part of the European world will celebrate Christmas and the New Year. In recent days, I have been thinking about how the leaders of Europe, America, and other democratic states will congratulate the rest of the world. What would you say about their future? A new world order and peace? Would you say that the expansion of democratic governance and security is no longer a good for humanity? Would you say that we should accept the “illusionary peace” and “borders” offered by autocratic and dictatorial forces? Will you say that economic influences prevail, and not a partnership based on equality, solidarity and trust? That international law and institutions have lost their power and can do nothing, while a repressive regime terrorizes, imprisons or forces into exile citizens fighting for freedom, democracy, justice and dignity?

And we, who are well aware of the Russian threat, are telling you that if the civilized world allows Moscow to unilaterally, with its imperialist aspirations and dictates, draw up the so-called “peace agreement” and change the borders, it will certainly be a harbinger of endless wars on this beautiful continent. If ancient and small nations like my homeland and fighting, independent states like Ukraine remain alone in the face of Russia’s hybrid war or military aggression, it will be an irreparable historical mistake. Our freedom does not depend on our struggle alone. We need the solidarity and support of you, the peoples of Europe and the free people of the civilized world. I believe in a free, democratic and strong Europe!” - says Mzia Amaglobeli in a letter published by Batumelebi.

The European Parliament held an award ceremony for the Sakharov Prize winners, imprisoned journalists Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of Netgazeti and Batumelebi, and Belarusian journalist Andrzej Pochobut.

Andrzej Pochobut and Mzia Amaglobeli were named Sakharov Prize winners in October of this year. The winners of the award will receive 50,000 euros.