The arrest and imprisonment of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli has become a focal point in Georgia’s struggle over democratic freedoms and free expression. On 12 January 2025, Amaglobeli, co-founder and editor of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was detained in Batumi during protests after she slapped Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze. Witnesses, rights groups, and Amaglobeli herself have stated that the incident occurred amid chaotic and violent policing, and that her actions were provoked by police conduct; prosecutors nonetheless pursued charges, and the case was later reclassified to a lesser offence leading to conviction.
In August 2025, she received a two-year prison sentence, a ruling that triggered further protests and high-level criticism from international rights organizations and European officials, who argued the prosecution fit a wider pattern of shrinking civic space in Georgia.
On 22 October 2025, the European Parliament awarded Amaglobeli the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, recognizing her as an imprisoned journalist and defender of free expression. The announcement sparked new demonstrations in Tbilisi, where thousands demanded her release and police detained more than thirty protesters.
During her imprisonment, Amaglobeli resorted to a hunger strike and other protest tactics, which were documented by independent media and civil-society groups. International organizations and press-freedom advocates condemned her prosecution as politically motivated and disproportionate.
A broader crackdown on artists and cultural figures
Amaglobeli’s case forms part of a much broader campaign against Georgia’s cultural and civic communities. Throughout late 2024 and 2025, actors, comedians, poets, musicians, art historians, publishers, and other cultural workers were detained, assaulted, or prosecuted after participating in protests or publicly criticizing government policy. The wave of repression, documented by NGOs, arts-freedom organizations, and independent media, targeted prominent cultural figures across multiple sectors.
Among them were actors Andro Chichinadze and Giorgi Bakhutashvili, who were detained in late 2024 and subsequently charged, and in Chichinadze’s case convicted, on allegations of “organizing group violence.” Comedian Onise Tskhadadze was arrested in connection with the same protest-related cases. Actor Giorgi Makharadze was reported to have been beaten by masked assailants during demonstrations while police failed to intervene. Meanwhile, internationally renowned opera singer and activist Paata Burchuladze was arrested after a major rally in October 2025; he and several opposition leaders were then charged with attempting to overthrow or destabilize the government and now face the prospect of lengthy prison sentences.
Writers and visual artists have also been targeted. In October 2025, acclaimed poet and translator Zviad Ratiani was sentenced to two years following protest activity. Street artist Gagosh has described an atmosphere of intimidation and harassment, and publisher Zviad Kvaratskhelia was detained briefly after participating in demonstrations in Tbilisi. Art historian Nodar Aronishadze reported being detained, tortured, and hospitalized before receiving a fine.
Human-rights organizations have documented hundreds of protesters detained or otherwise targeted in this period, a substantial share of them cultural workers. Reports detail arbitrary detention, fabricated charges, physical assaults, and intimidation campaigns, alongside restrictive legislative measures affecting civil society, cultural institutions, foreign funding, and LGBTQ+ expression.
Cultural leadership in the protest movement
Georgia’s cultural community has played a central role in the democracy movement, organizing rallies, issuing open statements, negotiating with authorities, and serving as public voices for protesters. Theatres, art academies, and independent cultural groups publicly aligned with pro-democracy demonstrators, calling for accountability and the release of detainees. Observers note that the government’s decision to prosecute high-profile cultural figures has been widely seen as an attempt to decapitate civic leadership and intimidate dissent.
Amaglobeli herself continued to influence the movement from prison, encouraging non-violent resistance and drawing international attention. Some NGOs and commentators have described her as one of the most prominent political prisoners in Georgia’s modern period, and in some public discourse as the first prominent female political prisoner since independence.
Critical months ahead
As of late October 2025, protests and detentions continue, and the Sakharov Prize has further intensified international attention on Georgia’s trajectory. Cultural leaders, despite arrests, prosecutions, and violence, remain central to civic mobilization. Analysts and rights groups emphasize that the coming months will be critical for the future of free expression, artistic freedom, and democratic institutions in Georgia.
Sources / References
Breaking: Cultural Freedom Under Attack in Georgia
The case of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli is not just a story about one media figure — it’s emblematic of a sweeping crackdown on cultural workers, independent press and civil society in Georgia.
Arrested on 12 January 2025 during a protest in Batumi and later convicted, Amaglobeli’s imprisonment and hunger strike have sparked international condemnation and widespread protest. (cpj.org)
Writers, actors, publishers and street artists are also being prosecuted, detained or harassed — the cultural community has become a strategic pillar of democratic resistance.
With the awarding of the Sakharov Prize 2025, Amaglobeli’s plight has drawn global attention. But the broader trend remains: shrinking civic space, weaponised justice and the stifling of dissent.
Key takeaway for media, policy and arts sectors: The front lines of democracy are no longer confined to ballot boxes — they’re on protest stages, in underground publishing and on artists’ canvases.
#PressFreedom #ArtisticFreedom #Georgia #CivilSociety #Journalism #SakharovPrize #CulturalResistance #Democracy #HumanRights #IndependentMedia
Europarl — Press release: Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli: laureates of the 2025 Sakharov Prize (European Parliament). (Europarl)
AP News — “Georgian journalist is convicted of slapping a police chief at a protest and gets 2 years in prison.” (AP News)
AP News — Sakharov Prize announcement coverage. (AP News)
OC Media — “Georgian media founder Mzia Amaghlobeli sentenced to two years in prison.” (6 Aug 2025). (OC Media)
Civil.ge — reporting on arrests, sentences, and protests (including Zviad Ratiani sentencing and arrests of protest organizers). (Civil Georgia)
Freemuse — “Georgia in crisis: performers face prison” (report on crackdown and scale). (Freemuse)
Mimeta — “Georgian Artists Targeted in Government Crackdown on Dissent” (Jan 2025). (Mimeta)
Al Jazeera — “Five Georgia opposition leaders charged with 'coup' attempt after protests” (Oct 2025). (Al Jazeera)
The Guardian — reporting on government crackdown and arrests of opposition/cultural figures (Oct 2025). (The Guardian)
Wikipedia entry on Mzia Amaglobeli (used to cross-check chronology; original reporting used where possible). (Wikipedia)
PEN International — coverage on Zviad Ratiani sentencing and other targeted cultural figures. (pen-international.org)
