Batumi City Court sentenced the founder of Georgian publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison.

The judge reclassified the charges, finding Amaglobeli guilty under Article 353 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns resistance, threats or use of violence against a law enforcement officer or other civil servant. Penalties under this article range from a fine and house arrest to imprisonment for a term of 2 to 6 years.

Initially, the journalist was charged with the first part of Article 353/1, which involves an attack on a police officer, an employee of the Special Penitentiary Service or another official. The punishment under this article is stricter - Amaglobeli faced 4 to 7 years in prison.

Following the verdict, 24 diplomatic missions issued a joint statement, including missions of the EU countries, the UK, Canada, as well as the embassies of Ukraine, Norway, Iceland and other countries that are members of the Media Freedom Coalition.

The ambassadors’ statement emphasized that Amaglobeli’s sentence is “disproportionate and politicized.” It is also noted that her prolonged pretrial detention has had a negative impact on her health, especially her eyesight.

“The case of Mzia Amaglobeli and the pressure on Batumelebi and Netgazeti are an example of the escalation of intimidation of journalists in Georgia, including unpunished violence and legal prosecution, which is a clear violation of the country’s international obligations to protect media freedom and freedom of expression,” the statement said.

The ambassadors expressed solidarity with Mzia Amaglobeli and called for her immediate release.