The Batumi City Court has found Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, guilty of an administrative offense, imposing a fine of GEL 2,000.

Judge Salikh Shainidze announced, “Mzia Amaglobeli has been found guilty of violating Article 173, Part 1 of the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia and is fined GEL 2,000.”

The ruling sparked a wave of anger in the courtroom, with shouts directed at the judge from those present.

Outside the Batumi City Court, a solidarity rally is taking place in support of Amaglobeli.

Amaglobeli was initially detained on January 11 for an administrative violation after being found one hour late at night near the Adjara Police Department building. After her release, she was rearrested on criminal charges, accused of slapping Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze. Amaglobeli has denied the allegations and protested by going on a 38-day hunger strike.