Prepared by Messenger Staff
Administrative Case of Imprisoned Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli Postponed
The administrative case of imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaglobeli has been postponed due to issues with remote participation for both Amaglobeli and his lawyer. The delay was reported by Jaba Ananidze, a journalist for Batumelebi, who stated that the court was unable to facilitate the remote involvement of Amaglobeli and the defense team in the process.
Ananidze also noted that the administrative offense report and related materials have not yet been provided to Amaglobeli, nor legal representatives. "The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed this at today's session before it was postponed," Ananidze reported. "The court failed to explain why it was not possible to remotely involve Mzia Amaglobeli or why the report and materials were not handed over. The representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not provide a clear answer. As for the detention report, this report is falsified."
Second Round of Unrecognized Abkhazia Elections Set for March 1
A second round of the so-called presidential elections in Russian-occupied Abkhazia will take place on March 1, with Badra Gunba and Adgur Ardzinba competing for the de facto leadership.
Gunba and Ardzinba secured the most votes in the February 15 election but failed to surpass the 50 percent threshold required to win outright. According to the region's so-called Central Election Commission, Gunba received 46.38% of votes, while Ardzinba garnered 36.92%.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has condemned the elections, urging the international community not to recognize them. Several countries, including Ukraine and the United Kingdom, echoed this stance.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry denounced the vote as a Russian attempt to legitimize the pro-Moscow separatist regime in occupied Georgian territory. Similarly, the British Embassy in Georgia reaffirmed the U.K.'s support for Georgia's territorial integrity, stating that it does not recognize the legitimacy of the elections.
The European Union also rejected the elections, emphasizing its continued policy of non-recognition and engagement. An EU spokesperson reiterated the bloc's support for Georgia's sovereignty, stating that the elections took place outside a recognized constitutional and legal framework.
Abkhazia's de facto parliament called for early elections after former leader Aslan Bzhania resigned in November following protests in the occupied region.
