What changed

on Media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli

P10_TA(2025)0132

B100282/2025

Media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli

PE773.966

(2025/2752(RSP))

European Parliament resolution of 19 June 2025 on media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli (2025/2752(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,

– having regard to RuleRules 150150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, renowned figure in independent journalism and the director of the independent news websites "Batumelebi" and "Netgazeti", was detained on the night of 11-12 January and ordered to pre-trial detention on January 14; whereas she faces up to seven years in prison; whereas Amaglobeli’s case is considered emblematic for the unrelenting campaign of repression unleashed by the ruling Georgian Dream party against independent journalists, civil society, and peaceful protesters;

A. whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, a journalist and co-founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti outlets, was arrested during pro-European protests on 12 January 2025 and faces four to seven years in prison for a provoked incident involving a police officer;

whereas on during her arrests Amaglobeli was subjected to sexist abuse by police, with Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze allegedly spitting on her and threatening violence; whereas police in Georgia are increasingly using gender-based violence, including degrading strip searches, against women involved in protests; whereas the authorities to date, have failed to investigate any police officers who allegedly ill-treated and otherwise abused her and other protesters;

B. whereas the adoption of draconian legislation – such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and amendments to the Law on Broadcasting, Code of Administrative Offences and Law on Grants – constitutes a dangerous acceleration of democratic backsliding and deliberate authoritarian strategy by Georgian Dream to silence critical voices in civil society and independent media and persecute the political opposition;

whereas Georgian independent media is expected to be left decimated following the entry into force of the new Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) on 1 June, which grants the state authority to criminally prosecute media for failing to register as a “foreign agent”;

C. whereas the authorities have virtually annihilated remaining independent media outlets in the country; whereas the public information space is fully dominated by pro-government media, spreading Russian-style propaganda and anti-European disinformation;

whereas the response from the EU and Member States to Georgian Dream’s crackdown against dissenters has been seriously lacking, with only few Member States imposing targeted sanctions on those responsible; whereas HRVP Kallas’ recent proposal for a Black Sea Strategy to boost mutual partnerships in the region also presents plans for enhanced cooperation with Georgia;

D. whereas in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case, the authorities ignored procedural safeguards, imposed pre-trial detention without a clear legal basis, contested by the Public Defender, and assigned a presiding judge lacking qualifications in criminal law; whereas she is being punished for exposing corruption and reporting on election fraud during the 2024 elections;

Condemns the illegal arrest and politically motivated prosecution of prominent Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli and calls for her immediate and unconditional release; urges the Georgian authorities to halt its harassment of peaceful protesters and release all political prisoners and others illegally detained without delay;

E. whereas she reportedly suffered inhumane treatment and undertook a 38-day hunger strike;

Expresses deep concern over reports, including in the case of Amaglobeli, of the systematic use of gender-based violence by the Georgian police to intimidate and punish peaceful protesters;

F. whereas Estonia and Lithuania have imposed personal sanctions on Georgian judges and police officers linked to Mzia Amaglobeli’s case;

Regrets the persistent lack of action on behalf of the EU and Member States to ensure that their condemnation of Georgian Dream’s actions is not just stated, but felt by those responsible; reiterates its call on the EU and Member States to take coordinated action to surmount the political obstacles to adopting EU-wide sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili; calls similarly for sanctions against public officials and law enforcement that responsible for implementing repressive measures against peaceful protesters;

1. Demands Mzia Amaglobeli’s immediate and unconditional release and the withdrawal of all charges against her, and denounces her politically motivated arrest and prosecution;

Expresses concern about the extent to which the EU’s plans within the Black Sea Strategy will entail a normalisation of relations with the Georgian authorities;

2. Strongly condemns the Georgian Dream regime’s systemic assault on democratic institutions, political opposition, independent media, civil society and judicial independence;

Calls on the EU to step up support for Georgia’s independent media following the entry into force of FARA, including by facilitating operations from EU Member States as needed;

3. Expresses deep concern over arbitrary detentions and the harassment of, and violence against, journalists in Georgia, including smear campaigns, legal persecution, abuse and gender-based violence in detention; calls for independent investigations and urges the authorities to immediately end intimidation and ensure journalists’ safety and freedom;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and to the Georgian authorities.

4. Urges the Georgian authorities to release all political prisoners and other illegally detained persons without delay, including activist Mate Devidze, opposition leaders Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia and Nika Gvaramia, and former President Mikheil Saakashvili, and denounces the violent abduction of UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava’s husband and the reported threats to her children’s safety;

5. Calls for the immediate repeal of all repressive legislation, the restoration of democracy, and full protection of media freedom and civil liberties;

6. Calls for the EU to step up support for Georgia’s independent media and civil society following the entry into force of the FARA, and monitor ongoing trials;

7. Regrets the persistent inaction of the Council, Member States and Commission and reiterates its repeated call on Member States to impose bilateral sanctions against Georgian Dream leaders and officials responsible for democratic backsliding;

8. Expresses concern about the latest wave of assaults on NGOs, through the demand by some state institutions, such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau, to provide detailed financial, legal and operational information for the last one and a half years within three working days; underscores that this demand is unfeasible by design and as such risks paralysing the work of targeted organisations and suspending their activities;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, President Zourabichvili, and the self-appointed authorities of Georgia.