What changed

B100287/2025

B100289/2025

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

(2025/2752(RSP))

- having regard to Rule 150 of its Rulesprevious ofresolutions Procedure,on Georgia,

Whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, prominent journalist and co-founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been held in pre-trial detention since 12 January 2025 and faces a prison sentence of four to seven years;

– having regard to the joint statement by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Marta Kos of 2 April 2025 on latest developments in Georgia;

whereas Georgia’s Public Defender has contested Amaglobeli's pre-trial detention, citing insufficient evidence and procedural violations contrary to Georgian law and international standards; whereas Mzia Amaglobeli has endured a 38-day hunger strike since arrest and her health has deteriorated;

– having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure.

whereas this case demonstrates the authorities’ abuse of the justice system to punish Mzia Amaglobeli for exposing corruption and for reporting on election fraud during the 2024 elections;

whereas Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested on 12 January 2025, held in pre-trial detention over four months and now faces the threat of a prison sentence of several years;

1. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Mzia Amaglobeli, dropping of all charges against her, and impartial investigation into the circumstances of her detention and ill-treatment endured during arrest;

whereas during her detention Mzia Amaglobeli reportedly suffered from inhumane treatment and undertook a 38-day hunger strike;

2. Reiterates its call for the immediate release of peaceful demonstrators, media representatives and opposition leaders, including former President Mikheil Saakashvili,Z urab Japaridze, Nika Melia, Nika Gvaramia, and Mate Devidze, and to end all political persecution; urges authorities to respect citizens’ right to freedom of expression and assembly, and refrain from using unwarranted force against protesters;

whereas the detention of Mzia Amaglobeli is part of a broader crackdown by the ruling party Georgian Dream on dissenting voices in civil society, opposition and media;

3. Strongly condemns the use of violence and degrading treatment against journalists and protesters in detention facilities and calls for independent investigations to bring those responsible to account;

whereas the personal attacks against Mzia Amaglobeli, including by the Prime Minister, government officials and other prominent members of the ruling party, and her stigmatisation as a ‘foreign agent’ appear as a deliberate fabrication of a prominent case of media persecution that would deter further independent media reporting in Georgia;

4. Reiterates its demand to repeal recently adopted repressive legislation; strongly urges to end the weaponisation of legislation to silence independent media and civil society;

1. Urges the Georgian authorities to immediately release Mzia Amaglobeli and to withdraw any fabricated charges against her;

5. Regrets that the media and information space is dominated by ruling party-backed TV and media outlets spreading false narratives about EU integration and pro-democracy actors; condemns the Government’s pressure on digital media, bloggers and online platforms, using cyberattacks, internet shutdowns, and harassment against independent voices;

2. Calls on the EEAS and the Member States to closely monitor the legal process and thereby contribute to establishing transparency about this and similar cases against Georgian journalists and media organisations, especially in the light of concerns about the lack of judicial independence;

6. Reiterates calls on the EU and Member States to impose personal sanctions, including suspension of visa-free travel and asset freezes, on the Georgian officials, political leaders, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, judges, and security forces responsible for democratic backsliding;

3. Urges Georgian authorities to end the harassment of independent media and journalists and reminds the Georgian authorities of their obligations to uphold media freedom and freedom of expression under the Georgian constitution and in accordance with the country’s international commitments;

7. Reiterates that, until authorities demonstrate a credible commitment to democratic principles and new parliamentary elections are held under improved electoral conditions with strong international presence, the EU will maintain its policy of non-recognition of the current President and one-party parliament; calls on EEAS, remaining EU institutions and Member States to limit diplomatic engagement with Georgian officials;

4. Expresses it solidarity with the people of Georgia in their protest against the escalating repression of civil liberties, and in particular with persons such as Mzia Amaglobeli who has come to symbolize the struggle for preserving Georgia’s democratic and European future;

8. Reiterates its support for the Georgian people’s legitimate European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations; calls on the Commission to increase financial support for civil society and independent media broadcasting impartial news towards Georgia, and accelerate the provision of grants, such as financing and advertising activists travelling to the EU, notably through the European Endowment for Democracy; calls on Member States to support Georgian independent media and civil society, including those working in exile;

5. Underlines that the new pieces of legislation, such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act and amendments to the Law on Broadcasting, unduly restrict fundamental freedoms, erode democracy and therefore, unless repealed, would make Georgia’s future EU membership impossible;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, HR/VP, Member States, President Salomé Zurabishvili and self-appointed current Georgian authorities.

6. Reiterates its calls on the ruling party to end the repression against citizens, release all persons unduly detained, suspend and repeal all repressive legislation and return to the path of democracy;

7. Calls for the EU to continue supporting Georgia’s civil society, human rights defenders and independent media despite the increasingly hostile environment marked by repressive laws such as the ‘Foreign Agents Registration Act’;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission/ High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and to the self-appointed authorities of Georgia.