What changed

B100295/2025

European Parliament resolution on 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

(2025/2752(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 150 (5) of its Rulesprevious ofresolutions Procedure,on Georgia,

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;

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

A. whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, co-foundera journalist and directorco-founder of the media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti,Netgazeti outlets, was arrested on 12 January 2025 in Batumi during a protest against Georgian Dream andpro-European detainedprotests on charges of insulting a police officer; whereas12 herJanuary criminal2025 trialand isfaces expectedfour to resumeseven soon,years in whichprison shefor coulda faceprovoked upincident toinvolving sevena yearspolice imprisonment;officer;

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

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;

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

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;

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;

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;

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;

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

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;

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

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;

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;

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;

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

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

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;

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. 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.