What changed

B100288/2025

B100290/2025

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 (5) of its Rulesprevious ofresolutions Procedure,on Georgia,

A. whereas, on 12 January 2025 Mzia Amaglobeli, journalist, was arrested on 12 January 2025

having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

after slapping Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze in the face, which was classified as a criminal offense of “assaulting a police offer” under Article 353 of the Criminal Code of Georgia;

whereas since 2024, Georgia has faced a dangerous acceleration of democratic backsliding, marked by the ruling Georgian Dream party’s systematic persecution of political opponents and aggressive crackdowns on civil society and independent media;

B. whereas the Batumi City Court hearings in the trial have been attended by diplomats from different EU Member States;

whereas the adoption of draconian legislation - such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act, amendments to the Law on Broadcasting, Code of Administrative Offences, Law on Grants - constitutes a deliberate authoritarian strategy to silence critical voices and mirror Russian-style governance;

C. whereas Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is pushing the EU to suspend or limit Georgia’s visa-free travel;

whereas the parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024 were deeply flawed and marked by grave irregularities,

1. Emphasises that the arrest of Amaglobeli happened within the context of the street protests of the opposition, demanding a re-run of the parliamentary elections of October 2024 and that the trial is taking place against the background of a very polarised political environment;

whereas, on 28 November 2024, Irakli Kobakhidze announced the decision to not pursue EU accession negotiations until 2028 and refuse EU budgetary support, kicking off street protests that have persisted to this day;

2. Affirms that the parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024 were free and fair, conducted in broad compliance with national and international legal standards and that the Georgian people made a clear choice regarding the composition of their new government;

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

3. Is concerned about the active involvement of foreign actors in actions of the opposition, aimed at overthrowing the elected government through street power and other extra-constitutional means; warns the EU that by supporting efforts to overturn a legitimate election result because of dissatisfaction with its outcome, it is undermining democracy in Georgia and fuelling polarisation and instability;

whereas in Amaglobeli’s case, authorities ignored procedural safeguards, imposed pre-trial detention without a clear legal basis, and assigned a presiding judge lacking qualifications in criminal law;

4. Considers that decisive in the conflict between civil society organisations (CSOs) and the ruling Georgian Dream party, is the partisan role that many opposition-linked CSOs have taken, agitating for the overthrow of the government; notes, furthermore, that there is a lack of public trust in CSOs due to a mismatch between the issues CSOs work on and the economic concerns of the majority of the population;

whereas Lithuania has imposed personal sanctions on Georgian officials responsible for human rights violations, including police officers that gave false testimonies against Mzia Amaglobeli in court;

5. Calls on the EU to end its confrontational approach and to avoid a black-and-white contrast between the different parties; urges the EU to recognise the complexity of the situation in Georgia and not to continue its current policy, which only increases the polarisation of Georgian society and politics;

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

6. Notes that the online media environment in Georgia is diverse and that content on a wide range of topics is available; notes that the online environment is free due to strong internet access and limited website blocking; notes that there are few explicit restrictions on internet access and online content; notes that, in general, online content is not subject to deletion, and government requests to remove online content are relatively rare;

Denounces the politically motivated arrest and prosecution of Mzia Amaglobeli and demands her immediate and unconditional release, along with the withdrawal of all charges connected to her journalistic and civic activities;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European External Action Service, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the President, government and parliament of Georgia.

Expresses concern over the increasing use of arbitrary detentions, fines, smear campaigns, legal harassment, and police violence against journalists, which constitute serious breaches of fundamental rights;

Denounces the alleged violent abduction of UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava’s husband and the reported threats to the safety of her children; calls for an immediate and effective investigation to address these acts and prevent a climate of impunity;

Denounces the sentencing of 21-year-old activist Mate Devidze to four years and six months in prison and demands his immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, NIka Melia and Nika Gvaramia;

Reiterates its calls for the immediate repeal of all repressive legislation, the restoration of democratic norms, and the full protection of media freedom and civil liberties;

Reiterates its call on the EU Member States to impose coordinated bilateral sanctions against the Georgian Dream regime and its enablers, including those responsible for politically-motivated arrest, detention, and trial of Mzia Amaglobeli;

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