Today in Strasbourg, during the European Parliament’s plenary session, as part of debates on violations of human rights, democratic principles, and the rule of law, a discussion took place regarding media freedom in Georgia, in the context of the case of journalist Mzii Amaglobeli, who was arrested on charges of allegedly insulting police officers. During the discussion, Małgorzata Gosiewska, a PiS MEP, spoke on behalf of the ECR Group.
“The lights of democracy are fading in Georgia,” said Małgorzata Gosiewska, pointing out that the authorities, dominated by Georgian Dream, are brutally suppressing pro-democracy protests and waging an open war against the free media. She noted that Mzia Amaglobeli—a respected journalist—was arrested simply for daring to protest. The PiS MEP quoted the journalist as saying: “I will not accept the regime’s agenda. I am on a hunger strike. Freedom is more precious than life.”
Gosiewska also pointed out that former President Mikheil Saakashvili has been a political prisoner of the Ivanishvili regime for nearly four years.
“The Georgian Dream, directed from behind the scenes by Bidzina Ivanishvili, has turned Georgia away from Europe,” — noted Małgorzata Gosiewska, stating that the country—which once aspired to join the EU and NATO—has become a satellite of Moscow.
“We cannot stand by and watch this passively. Remaining silent in the face of the loss of freedom in Georgia will have consequences not only for its citizens but for all of Europe—political, moral, and strategic,” argued the Polish politician.
Since the irregular parliamentary elections on October 26, 2024, the erosion of democracy in Georgia has accelerated dramatically. In effect, the “Georgian Dream” authorities are systematically subjecting civil society and independent media to pressure, legal restrictions, and physical violence. The media and information landscape is stifled and dominated by television stations and media outlets supported by Georgian Dream, which spread false narratives about EU integration, drawing inspiration from the propaganda activities of Russian media. This is further deepening the polarization of society. Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder and media director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested in January 2025 and detained on charges of insulting police officers by allegedly attacking a police officer. Her arrest and detention are widely considered to be politically motivated. Her trial is currently underway, and she faces a sentence of four to seven years in prison.
