What changed

B100290/2025

B100295/2025

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 itsRule previous150 resolutions(5) onof Georgia,its Rules of Procedure,

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

whereas the democratic backsliding in Georgia has dramatically accelerated since the flawed parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024; whereas the de facto Georgian Dream authorities systematically subject civil society and independent media to pressure, legal restrictions, and physical violence; whereas at least 138 incidents of media freedom violations have been documented in the context of pro-European protests or related events since November 2024, and a total of 174 media professionals have been the target of state repression; whereas at least 30 reporters have suffered repeated violations, including physical assaults, damage to professional equipment, administrative fines, criminal charges and legal harassment; whereas Georgia’s media landscape is highly politically polarised and characterized by widespread manipulation and disinformation;

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;

whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder and director of the media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested on 12 January 2025 in Batumi during a protest against Georgian Dream and detained on charges of insulting a police officer; whereas her criminal trial is expected to resume soon, in which she could face up to seven years imprisonment;

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;

Urges Georgia’s authorities to release Mzia Amaglobeli immediately and to drop all criminal charges against her;

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

Calls on the authorities to immediately cease the intimidation, threats, politically motivated prosecutions and physical assaults against journalists and media workers in Georgia;

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;

calls for the Georgian authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety and freedom of journalists and to investigate all instances of violence and misconduct by law enforcement agencies; emphasises the importance of fostering a democratic environment where media can operate freely without fear of retaliation or censorship;

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;

Regrets that media and information space is suppressed and dominated by Georgian Dream supported TV and media outlets, spreading false narratives about the EU integration and thus emulating and playing into Russian-inspired propaganda and facilitating polarisation in the society;

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;

Is worried by the Georgian Dream government’s clear alignment with Kremlin-backed narratives, its growing economic and political ties with Russia, and its deliberate obstruction of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, which fundamentally contradicts the country’s constitutional and strategic priorities;

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;

Calls for the EU and its Member States to impose individual sanctions on the officials and political leaders in Georgia who are responsible for the democratic backsliding, including Irakli Kobakhidze, Kakha Kaladze, Shalva Papuashvili and Irakli Garibashvili and to extend these sanctions to judges passing politically motivated sentences, as well as to financial enablers supporting the regime and the owners of regime-aligned media outlets for their role in spreading disinformation and seeking to manipulate public discourse;

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

Reiterates its urgent demand for the immediate and unconditional release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds so he can seek medical treatment abroad; emphasises that the Georgian Dream authorities bear full responsibility for his life, health, safety and well-being and must be held fully accountable for any harm that befalls him;

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;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Parliament and Government 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.