For Change's Gvaramia visits imprisoned founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti media outlets
Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the For Change coalition, paid a visit to Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti media outlets, who is currently incarcerated at the Fifth Penitentiary Facility in Rustavi.
During his visit, he expressed strong support for her immediate release and vowed to utilize all available channels and contacts to advocate on her behalf as a citizen and in solidarity with fellow journalists.
“Mzia is an imprisoned individual, not a politician,” Nika Gvaramia emphasized, drawing a parallel with his own experience as a journalist.
“When I was arrested, the motivation was political. However, Mzia’s arrest stems from her professional endeavours as a journalist. In this instance, the authorities are essentially responding to a perceived slight. As a society, we must contemplate how we would react in a similar situation,” he said.
As a recipient of the prestigious award from the Committee to Protect Journalists, Nika Gvaramia plans to leverage his connections with local and international organizations to seek Mzia’s release.
“An individual should be treated with respect and dignity based on their merits, not punished for holding particular viewpoints. In this scenario, the victim is clearly Mzia, and I will spare no effort to secure her freedom as soon as possible,” he stated.
In addition to visiting Mzia Amaghlobeli, Nika Gvaramia will also meet with Saba Skhvitaridze, a detainee in connection with the mass protests at Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi.
Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder and director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested under Article 353 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to assault on a police officer.