resolution motion, 16 June 2025
On the situation of media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli
Motion B-10-2025-0287 · (2025/2752(RSP))
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Urmas Paet, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Engin Eroglu, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Eugen Tomac, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas, Olivier Chastel
- Voted on Thursday, 19 June 2025 · Adopted 324 for, 25 against, 87 abstained · See the decision →
- Where the law stands · dossier 2025/2752 →
AI:In short
The resolution condemns Georgia's abuse of the justice system against journalist Mzia Amaglobeli and calls for her immediate release, an impartial investigation, and an end to political persecution. It urges the EU and member states to impose personal sanctions on Georgian officials, maintain non-recognition of the current government, and increase support for Georgian civil society and independent media.
Key points
- Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Mzia Amaglobeli, dropping all charges, and an impartial investigation into her detention and ill-treatment.
- Reiterates calls for the release of peaceful demonstrators, media representatives, and opposition leaders, and urges respect for freedom of expression and assembly.
- Condemns violence and degrading treatment against journalists and protesters in detention and calls for independent investigations.
- Demands the repeal of repressive legislation and an end to the weaponisation of legislation against independent media and civil society.
- Regrets the dominance of ruling party-backed media spreading false narratives and condemns government pressure on digital media, bloggers, and online platforms.
- Calls on the EU and member states to impose personal sanctions, including visa-free travel suspension and asset freezes, on Georgian officials responsible for democratic backsliding.
- States the EU will maintain non-recognition of the current President and one-party parliament until credible democratic commitment and new elections, and calls for limited diplomatic engagement.
- Supports Georgian people's European aspirations and calls for increased EU financial support for civil society and independent media, including those in exile.
Who is affected
- Mzia Amaglobeli and other detained individuals, who should be released and have charges dropped.
- Georgian officials, political leaders, judges, and security forces, who may face EU sanctions.
- Georgian civil society and independent media, which would receive increased EU support.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 17 paragraphs
B100287/2025
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the situation of media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli
(2025/2752(RSP))
The European Parliament,
- having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,
Whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, prominent journalist and co-founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been held in pre-trial detention since 12 January 2025 and faces a prison sentence of four to seven years;
whereas Georgia’s Public Defender has contested Amaglobeli's pre-trial detention, citing insufficient evidence and procedural violations contrary to Georgian law and international standards; whereas Mzia Amaglobeli has endured a 38-day hunger strike since arrest and her health has deteriorated;
whereas this case demonstrates the authorities’ abuse of the justice system to punish Mzia Amaglobeli for exposing corruption and for reporting on election fraud during the 2024 elections;
1. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Mzia Amaglobeli, dropping of all charges against her, and impartial investigation into the circumstances of her detention and ill-treatment endured during arrest;
2. Reiterates its call for the immediate release of peaceful demonstrators, media representatives and opposition leaders, including former President Mikheil Saakashvili,Z urab Japaridze, Nika Melia, Nika Gvaramia, and Mate Devidze, and to end all political persecution; urges authorities to respect citizens’ right to freedom of expression and assembly, and refrain from using unwarranted force against protesters;
3. Strongly condemns the use of violence and degrading treatment against journalists and protesters in detention facilities and calls for independent investigations to bring those responsible to account;
4. Reiterates its demand to repeal recently adopted repressive legislation; strongly urges to end the weaponisation of legislation to silence independent media and civil society;
Read the rest (5 paragraphs)
5. Regrets that the media and information space is dominated by ruling party-backed TV and media outlets spreading false narratives about EU integration and pro-democracy actors; condemns the Government’s pressure on digital media, bloggers and online platforms, using cyberattacks, internet shutdowns, and harassment against independent voices;
6. Reiterates calls on the EU and Member States to impose personal sanctions, including suspension of visa-free travel and asset freezes, on the Georgian officials, political leaders, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, judges, and security forces responsible for democratic backsliding;
7. Reiterates that, until authorities demonstrate a credible commitment to democratic principles and new parliamentary elections are held under improved electoral conditions with strong international presence, the EU will maintain its policy of non-recognition of the current President and one-party parliament; calls on EEAS, remaining EU institutions and Member States to limit diplomatic engagement with Georgian officials;
8. Reiterates its support for the Georgian people’s legitimate European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations; calls on the Commission to increase financial support for civil society and independent media broadcasting impartial news towards Georgia, and accelerate the provision of grants, such as financing and advertising activists travelling to the EU, notably through the European Endowment for Democracy; calls on Member States to support Georgian independent media and civil society, including those working in exile;
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, HR/VP, Member States, President Salomé Zurabishvili and self-appointed current Georgian authorities.