Special Penitentiary Service: arrested media managed transferred to clinic for checks “with consent”

Georgia’s Special Penitentiary Service on Wednesday said Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and manager of Batumelebi and Netgazeti media outlets who was arrested last month for assaulting a police officer during protests against the Government's decision last year not to include European Union accession talks in its agenda until 2028, had been transferred to a Tbilisi clinic the previous day for medical checks “with her consent” on the 24th day of her hunger strike. 

In its statement, the agency highlighted that after being admitted to the clinic, Amaglobeli had additionally consented to procedures recommended by medical specialists assigned by the penitentiary system, and noted she remained in the clinic for further laboratory and instrumental tests.

The SPS also clarified that Amaglobeli’s lawyer had been informed about the necessity of her referral to the clinic and urged political groups and media outlets to refrain from spreading “false information over the circumstances” of her transfer and medical treatment, in reference to reports on her deteriorated health. 

Nona Kurdovanidze, the Chairwoman of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association, which is providing legal support to Amaglobeli, also confirmed on Tuesday Amaglobeli had been taken to the clinic for examinations and would remain there “until necessary”. 

Zurab Chkhaidze, the Clinical Director of the Vivamedi clinic, told journalists on Tuesday that whether Amaglobeli would remain at the facility would depend on her condition, adding it was currently “stable”. 

Amaglobeli is facing criminal charges for slapping a police officer, a case that could result in a prison sentence of four to seven years. 

Initially detained administratively on January 11 and subsequently released, Amaglobeli was rearrested under criminal law just hours later on January 12. 

Human rights organisations and fellow journalists have declared her a “political prisoner”, claiming she had responded to the police officer's alleged insult to her.