After an appeal from Mzia Amaglobeli’s lawyers, the Public Defender has already initiated proceedings. The case concerns ensuring that lobeli receives adequate medical treatment.

Mzia Amaglobeli is the co-founder and director of the outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. She has been unlawfully detained for almost 11 months. On 24 November 2025, the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) appealed to the Minister of Justice and the Public Defender, requesting that the necessary examinations and treatment be ensured. lobeli’s vision has significantly deteriorated since her placement in the penitentiary facility and is now at a critical level.

GYLA appealed to the Minister of Justice, Paata Salia, to immediately ensure that Amaglobeli undergoes appropriate high-tech ophthalmological examinations on both eyes at a properly equipped medical facility either the New Hospitals National Ophthalmology Center or the Caucasus Medical Center  and that, based on the results, a treatment plan be developed to preserve her eyesight. GYLA also appealed to the Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani, requesting a prompt written assessment of whether the state is fulfilling its obligation to provide Amaglobeli with adequate medical care.

Today, 27 November, the Ministry of Justice’s press office was unable to tell Batumelebi what response, if any, followed the lawyers’ appeal.

The Public Defender’s Office, however, confirmed that proceedings have begun and that they have requested the relevant medical documentation.

“We have already requested the medical documentation. As you know, we cannot directly participate in the treatment process, but the state is obligated to provide prisoners with adequate medical services. We will review the documentation once it arrives. Our in-house physician will assess it, and further action will follow. If we determine that the medical care is inadequate, we will address the relevant authority with appropriate recommendations,”
– said Deputy Public Defender Elene Ghudushauri.

According to her, even before formally opening the case, the Public Defender’s Office requested Amaglobeli’s medical records after hearing public statements on the matter, but they have not yet received the documentation from the penitentiary service.

Could the Public Defender request that Amaglobeli be transferred to a properly equipped medical clinic?

“We cannot verify what equipment specific clinics have… Our investigation may reveal that certain medical services were not provided. If that is the case, we will issue a recommendation to the agency. However, we cannot instruct them on which specific clinic or provider to use.

We do not have an assessment of the providers and their equipment. But if it becomes clear that a certain examination is necessary and it has not been carried out, we will address the relevant authority, and it will then be up to the agency to decide on transferring her to a civilian clinic,” – Ghudushauri told Batumelebi.

A visit to Mzia Amaglobeli by representatives of the Public Defender’s Office is planned in the coming days, and if needed, they will speak with the doctors treating her inside the penitentiary system.

The Public Defender will need several days to issue a formal decision in the “Mzia Amaglobeli case”.