The Clooney Foundation for Justice released the following statement today after a Georgian court convicted journalist Mzia Amaglobeli under Article 353 of the Georgian Criminal Code–resistance, threat or violence against a protector of public order or other representative of the authorities–following a trial marked by numerous irregularities:
“Mzia Amaglobeli’s conviction places Georgia among a growing number of countries using criminal law to silence journalists and curtail free speech—especially at times of political instability, when people need access to independent journalism most,” said Kate Levine, Senior Legal Program Manager at TrialWatch.
TrialWatch monitored Amaglobeli’s trial and will share its in-depth evaluation of it, grading it against international fair trial standards, in a forthcoming Fairness Report.
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ABOUT THE CLOONEY FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE (CFJ)
The Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) wages justice by providing free legal aid in defense of free speech and women’s rights in over 40 countries. Its work has led to dozens of journalists being set free and thousands of women receiving free legal support to defend their rights.