Prepared by Messenger Staff
Imprisoned Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli Ends Hunger Strike After 38 Days
Mzia Amaghlobeli, the imprisoned journalist and director of Batumelebi / Netgazeti, has ended her hunger strike after 38 days, as confirmed by her colleague Eter Turadze on February 18. Turadze read out Amaghlobeli's letter, which was sent from the Vivamedi clinic where she has been receiving medical care.
In her letter, Amaghlobeli expressed the difficulty of hearing concerns about her health amidst the tragedy in Batumi's Dream Town, where two minor children tragically fell into a ditch and died. "Against the backdrop of this tragedy, it is incredibly difficult for me to hear society's concerns about my health and life," Amaghlobeli wrote.
She went on to announce her intention to gradually restore her nutrition with the help of doctors in the coming days.
Amaghlobeli also expressed gratitude to fellow prisoners Temur Katamadze and Nikoloz Javakhishvili for their solidarity through their own hunger strikes, urging them to end theirs as well. "I feel a special responsibility to my associates, colleagues, friends, and family. I do not want my hunger strike to weaken you - you must continue to fight on my behalf as well," she wrote.
Giorgi Gakharia Retains Parliamentary Mandates for Political Independence
Former Prime Minister of Georgia and leader of the For Georgia party, Giorgi Gakharia, has announced that he will retain his parliamentary mandates to maintain his political independence. Speaking on TV Company Pirveli, Gakharia emphasized that his decision is aimed at avoiding dependence on private financial groups and ensuring that his party remains accountable to its supporters.
"We are not legitimizing this parliament. I am retaining these mandates in order to have independence in political life. So that we can receive at least part of what our citizens have given us in the form of funding," Gakharia explained. He stressed the importance of being free from the influence of bankers, financial groups, and their affiliated media outlets.
"This independence is important to me, and I am preparing for further battles with this," Gakharia added.
Georgian Citizens Released from Russian Occupation Forces
On February 18, the Georgian State Security Service (SSSG) confirmed the release of Kakha Tsevelidze and Giorgi Chitadze, who had been illegally detained by Russian occupation forces. The two men, detained near the village of Dirbi in Kareli Municipality on February 16, are now in Tbilisi-controlled territory.
The SSSG stated that their release was facilitated through the operational hotline mechanism of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), alongside other relevant diplomatic tools at the disposal of the central government.
"The central government continues to work actively to release all Georgian citizens illegally detained in the occupied territories," the SSSG said in a statement.
