Detained journalist Mzia Amaglobeli's hunger strike continues in Sakartvelo

The founder and head of the Kartveli online publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti, Mzia Amaglobeli, has been on a hunger strike for 30 days after being arrested for slapping a police officer during a protest in Batumi. This was reported by one of her lawyers, the head of the Sakartvelo Young Lawyers Association, Nona Kurdovanidze.

Currently, Aglomabeli is undergoing additional medical examinations at the «Vivamed» clinic.

 «She continues her full hunger strike and remains for additional examinations. Her position is unchanged — she demands her return, although, of course, the decision on this should be made based on the results of medical examinations, and not only on her wish. In this case, the decisive factor will certainly be medical indicators», — the lawyer noted.

On February 4, Amaglobeli was transferred from Rustaveli Prison to a clinic for medical examination. Doctors recommend continuing treatment on an outpatient basis.

 The journalist was detained on January 12 during a protest in Batumi after she slapped the local police chief, Irakli Dzhebuadze. This happened after a fight, during which there were provocations by the police. Mzia Amaglobeli faces 4 to 7 years in prison for slapping a police officer, she is accused of assaulting a police officer.

 On January 14, the Batumi City Court decided to keep Mzia Amaglobeli in custody as a preventive measure. A preliminary hearing in the case was scheduled for March 4.

 From Rustavi prison, the media worker handed over a letter in which she called the accusation the result of a repressive policy directed against her personally and freedom of expression in the country.

 In addition, on January 12, Batumelebi cameraman Guram Murvanidze was detained during the protests. According to Netgazeti, he witnessed the clashes near the Constitutional Court in Batumi and began filming the detention on his mobile phone.