Media Development Investment Fund Inc

Support Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli – A Voice for Press Freedom in Georgia

Mzia Amaglobeli, a fearless journalist and founder of Gazeti Batumelebi (Batumelebi & Netgazeti), has been unjustly arrested in Georgia on politically motivated charges making her the first female journalist prisoner of conscience since the Soviet Union collapse. For over two decades, she has fought for truth, exposing corruption and human rights abuses in the face of relentless government pressure. Now, she is behind bars - facing up to seven years in prison for simply doing her job.

Every dollar raised will go to Batumelebi, toward vital resources, support for Mzia and her colleagues, and ensuring they have the means to persevere in the face of repression.

On January 12, 2025, Mzia was arrested during a protest following an altercation with Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze. Since then, she has reported physical abuse, mistreatment, and denial of basic rights while in custody.

In the face of unbearable injustice, Mzia went on a 38-day hunger strike, which severely deteriorated her health. She already had suffered from a serious eye condition - Stage 3 Keratoconus - in the left eye, leaving it with minimal vision. Her second eye, previously correctable to 90% with glasses, rapidly worsened during her hunger strike.

Medical documents issued by the prison-contracted clinic on February 6 revealed an alarming decline:

Her vision in the right eye dropped to only 10%, correctable to just 40%, while in the left eye to light perception only.

Both eyes were then diagnosed as Stage 3 Keratoconus.

Despite these serious findings, the clinic took no significant action. Even worse, the importance of these medical evaluations was not clearly communicated to Mzia’s lawyers or family.

The Georgian authorities are intensifying the crackdown on independent media, introducing new laws aimed at silencing critical voices. As they continue to suppress independent media in Georgia, we are raising $60,000 to support Mzia and her team through this critical time - covering essential expenses so they can continue their work in defense of press freedom. Every dollar will go toward vital resources, support for her colleagues, and ensuring they have the means to persevere in the face of repression.

The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives, and leading journalists, has launched a campaign calling for Mzia’s release. You can sign the statement as an individual or on behalf of an organization here.

This fundraiser is fiscally sponsored by Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) - MDIF will not benefit in any way from the funds raised. MDIF supports independent media around the world by investing in news outlets that provide reliable information and promote free, thriving societies. It helps media build strong, sustainable businesses that preserve editorial independence and drive positive change in their communities.

#FreeMzia #GeorgiaCrisis #TbilisiProtests #GeorgiaProtests #SaveGeorgia #GeorgiaUnrest