Judge Davit Akobidze of the Tbilisi City Court has formally discontinued the proceedings concerning Mzia Amaglobeli’s lawsuit against Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

The court determined that the statement made by the Prime Minister, which the plaintiff challenged, was delivered during a political debate and is protected under the right to freedom of expression.

Jailed founder of media outlets Netgazeti and Batumelebi, Mzia Amaglobeli’s lawyers filed the lawsuit, demanding that Irakli Kobakhidze publicly retract the remarks he made on Imedi TV and Adjara Television, in which, according to her legal representatives, he claimed that she was acting “on orders.” The plaintiff contends that this statement was defamatory.

The plaintiff has announced their intention to appeal the court’s decision.