The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has issued a statement regarding Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti media outlets, who has been on hunger strike for sixteen days while being held in what GYLA describes as illegal detention.

In the statement, GYLA urges the Ministry of Justice to provide immediate updates and regular information to the public concerning Amaglobeli’s health condition.

During a recent conversation with GYLA’s chairperson, Amaglobeli expressed that her hunger strike serves as a protest against injustice, clarifying that her actions are not a plea for privileges.

“The prison administration is required, under a special protocol, to ensure comprehensive and effective monitoring of her health condition,” stated GYLA’s announcement.

Additionally, GYLA appeals to the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia to “immediately terminate the illegal prosecution against Mzia Amaglobeli and request the court to revise her preventative measures, as her actions do not constitute a criminal offence.”

GYLA also calls on the Special Investigation Service to “inform the public about the current status of the degrading treatment case involving Mzia Amaglobeli, including an explanation as to why Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze has not been suspended from his duties.”

“We remind the public that the system is punishing Mzia Amaglobeli for her professional activities driven by political motives, rather than any legal violations,” GYLA asserts.