31 January 2025, 22:50
Demonstrators in Georgia demand to release detained protesters
Marches and rallies were held on the 64th day of daily protests in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi; all the protesters’ demands included the release of all the political prisoners, including Mziya Amaglobeli. In Batumi, protesters set up tents near the building of the Constitutional Court.
Mziya Amaglobeli, the founder of "Batumelebi" and "Netgazeti" outlets, went on a hunger strike in protest against her criminal prosecution and arrest. The court in Kutaisi refused to consider the complaint against her arrest. She has been on hunger strike for the third week; but he feels satisfactory. More than 300 Georgian journalists have signed a letter in Mziya’s support; and her colleagues declared her to be a prisoner of conscience.
On January 12, ten people were detained in Batumi, including Amaglobeli. The reason was in a poster calling for a strike. She was accused of attacking a policeman. Amaglobeli told that she was insulted by policemen, one of whom cursed her and spat in her face, trying to use physical force against her. For three hours after her second arrest, she was not allowed to drink water, use the toilet, or contact an advocate, the “JamNews” has reported, citing the “Young Lawyers’ Association”.
The participants in the march organized by the “Strong Georgia” Coalition expressed their solidarity with Amaglobeli and demanded her release. Other marchers’ demands include holding new parliamentary elections and releasing those detained at the rallies.
Protesters have set up a tent in front of the Kutaisi Mayoralty, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has reported, citing broadcasts from Georgian TV channels. They are demanding new elections and the release of those illegally detained during demonstrations.
The NGO "Young Lawyers’ Association" has noted that they have no information on how well the rules for handling hunger-striking prisoners are being treated.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 30, 2025 at 11:37 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Galina Gotua Source: СK correspondent
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