The Batumi City Court has found Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti media outlets, guilty of an administrative offence and imposed a fine of GEL 2,000.

“Mzia Amaglobeli has been found guilty of violating Article 173, Part 1 of the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia and is imposed an administrative penalty in the form of a fine of GEL 2,000,” Judge Salikh Shainidze declared.

The announcement of this ruling was met with uproar and shouts aimed at the judge from within the courtroom.

Meanwhile, a solidarity rally for Mzia Amaglobeli is being held outside the Batumi City Court.

Mzia Amaglobeli was initially arrested on administrative grounds for one hour late at night on January 11 near the Adjara Police Department building. Following her release, she was detained again, this time on criminal charges, for allegedly slapping Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze. Mzia Amaglobeli maintained her innocence and protested by going on a hunger strike for 38 days.