Georgian Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli Ends Hunger Strike After 38 Days

Hundreds have been arrested in Georgia since November 28, 2024 when country wide, nightly demonstrations began in response to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s suspension of EU accession talks.

Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, who was arrested for slapping Batumi police chief Irakli Dzebudze and assaulting a police officer, has decided to end her hunger strike on the 38th day. Amaglobeli had been on hunger strike since her arrest. She was arrested on January 12 at a pro-EU rally in Batumi.

Amaglobeli is the founder and editor-in-chief of Georgian outlets 'Batumelebi' and 'Netgazeti'. The end of her hunger strike was announced on February 18 by her colleague and Batumilebi editor Eter Turadze. He read out a letter sent by the detained journalist from Tbilisi’s Vivamedi clinic, where she was transferred for medical check-ups on February 4 amid growing concerns about her physical condition.

Amaglobeli wrote, “In the wake of the tragedy at the “City of Dreams” in Batumi, in which two minor children fell into a ditch and died, it is incredibly difficult for me to hear people’s concern for my health and life. In the coming days, with the help of doctors, I will try to somehow restore my nutrition. I thank the ‘prisoners of conscience’ for their solidarity, and I also request them to end their hunger strike.”

These words will undoubtedly be a relief to her family, friends, colleagues, media representatives and opposition politicians, who have been urging the journalist to end the strike, fearing permanent damage to her health and even her death.

Amaglobeli expressed her gratitude to Temur Katamadze and Nikoloz Javakhashvili – who were also arrested in the ongoing pro-Europe, anti-government protests in the Caucasus country – who are also refusing to take food in solidarity with her. Amaglobeli urged him to follow his lead and end his hunger strike.

Women’s Organization @ForGeorgia25 has spoken out against the politically motivated prosecution of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, labeling it as unjust and disproportionate. #JusticeForMzia the judicial system for being under Ivanishvili's influence. #JusticeForMzia #PressFreedom pic.twitter.com/6LvebmArfU

— Zaza Jaiani (@ZazaJaiani) February 20, 2025

“I feel a special responsibility towards my colleagues, co-workers, friends and family. I don’t want my hunger strike to weaken you – you must continue to fight on my behalf as well,” Amaglobeli wrote in her letter.

After the journalist announced the end of her hunger strike, director of Vivamedi, Zurba Chkhaidze, reported that a team of doctors would begin a “so-called refeeding procedure” to treat Amaglobeli’s “so-called refeeding syndrome,” “a very serious syndrome that develops after prolonged hunger strike and refeeding,” Chkhaidze explained.

Journalist Amaglobeli was arrested twice at a protest on the night of January 11-12. First for putting up a sticker asking Georgians to join a three-hour strike, and then for slapping the Batumi police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze.

The prosecutor’s office then charged Amaglobeli with “assault on a police officer.” He is accused of “assault”, a crime punishable by four to seven years in prison. His trial is scheduled for March 4, 2025.

During his testimony, the Netgezi outlet quoted Dgebuadze as saying that, as a result of Amaglobeli’s slap, he had “redness” on his right cheek and ear and experienced “pain during the blows”.

The Georgian Young Lawyers Association which represents Amaglobeli claims that the journalist was mistreated in pre-trial detention; Dgebuadze tried to physically restrain him several times, spat on him, insulted him and forbade him from using water and the toilet for several hours.