President Salome Zourabichvili has accused the Georgian government of repressing independent media, following the seizure of accounts belonging to "Batumelebi", a regional media outlet based in Adjara.
“Terror in Georgia. The government has seized the accounts of 'Batumelebi' days before Mzia Amaglobeli’s trial. This is not justice—it’s repression,” Zourabichvili wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
On July 21, "Batumelebi" reported that the Revenue Service imposed a collection order on its accounts, despite the outlet having acknowledged its debt and making monthly payments.
The media organization said it owes 47,000 GEL to the state and is facing an additional 235,000 GEL in penalties and fines. It claims that a request for a debt repayment schedule was denied, and that enforcement actions began just days ahead of the court verdict against founder Mzia Amaglobeli.
“This is clear pressure to break Amaglobeli and ultimately destroy the media outlet,” the editorial team stated.
The case has sparked concern over freedom of the press and political pressure on independent journalism in Georgia.
