On January 12, journalists, leaders of independent media, professional associations, and media rights organizations gathered outside the government HQ in Tbilisi in support of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder and director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti.

As a form of protest, they placed stickers on the steps of the building, symbolizing the act that led to Amaghlobeli’s initial arrest—placing a “Strike” sticker.

“Representatives of independent media outlets, professional associations, and media rights organizations consider Mzia Amaghlobeli’s arrest and criminal prosecution a premeditated, unlawful provocation.

The head of Batumi police, Irakli Dgebuadze, who displayed particular aggression during yesterday’s events, had previously threatened Batumelebi co-founder and editor Eter Toradze on December 16.

Mzia Amaghlobeli was detained on January 11 after placing a sticker on the fence of the Adjara Police Department promoting a nationwide strike scheduled for January 15.