TBILISI, May 3 – Protesters marched through central Tbilisi on Saturday to support media freedom and show solidarity with detained journalist Mzia Amaglobeli.
The march began near the Tbilisi Concert Hall, and headed toward parliament, where anti-government protesters have been gathering for more than a year.
Participants carried a large banner reading: “Freedom for Mzia, freedom for political prisoners.” They also brought posters with different messages, as well as Georgian, Ukrainian, US and EU flags. Several protesters carried banners showing Amaglobeli’s image.
In parallel, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, known as GYLA, issued a statement in connection with World Press Freedom Day on May 3, saying press freedom in Georgia is “at extremely high risk.”
“Georgia does not represent a safe place for journalists to perform their professional duties,” the group said.
GYLA said journalists in Georgia face hostile rhetoric, attacks and obstruction of their work, and that these incidents often receive no legal response. The group said no one has yet been punished for violence against journalists during protests in November and December 2024.
The legal group also said it stands in solidarity with free media and described Amaglobeli as a political prisoner. GYLA represents her at the European Court of Human Rights, where three complaints have already been filed and a fourth is being prepared.
The three filed complaints concern her pre-trial detention, an administrative offense case and alleged ill-treatment. GYLA said the fourth complaint will concern what it calls a politically motivated criminal case.
Amaglobeli’s case has become one of the most visible ones among a broader call for the release of people detained during the protest movement.
Saturday marches have become a regular part of the long-running protest movement after the October, 2024, parliamentary election. The movement’s core demands are to hold new parliamentary elections and release people detained during the protests.
