Day: January 12, 2026

Mzia Amaglobeli marks one year in prison

Exactly one year has passed since the arrest in Georgia of Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and director of the popular outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. On 12 January, the European Union again called on the ruling Georgian Dream party to release her immediately.

Mzia Amaglobeli slapped a police officer who, she said, was insulting her during a pro-European protest in Batumi.

She was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer under Article 353, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which carries a prison sentence of between four and seven years.

However, on 6 August 2025, the judge reclassified the charge at the last minute as “resisting a police officer” and sentenced Mzia to two years in prison.

In a statement published on Facebook on 12 January, the European Union delegation to Georgia reaffirmed its commitment to the joint position of 24 diplomatic missions, which had earlier described Mzia Amaglobeli’s case as a symbol of intimidation, impunity for violence, and the legal persecution of journalists in Georgia.

The European Union mission said it continues to regard the sentence handed down to Mzia Amaglobeli as disproportionate and politically motivated.

US State Department voices concern over crackdown on government critics in Georgia

US State Department responds to sentencing of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli

A statement by 24 diplomatic missions dated 6 August 2025 said the proceedings had seriously undermined Mzia Amaglobeli’s health, particularly her eyesight. The diplomats called for her release and for an end to violence and intimidation against journalists.

The joint statement was signed by the diplomatic missions of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

All the details of the case against Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli

The hearing lasted nine hours. The lawyer called the trial historic and spoke of falsifications in the case. The verdict in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case is expected on August 4

Mzia Amaglobeli marks one year in prison

Exactly one year has passed since the arrest in Georgia of Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and director of the popular outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. On 12 January, the European Union again called on the ruling Georgian Dream party to release her immediately.

Mzia Amaglobeli slapped a police officer who, she said, was insulting her during a pro-European protest in Batumi.

She was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer under Article 353, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which carries a prison sentence of between four and seven years.

However, on 6 August 2025, the judge reclassified the charge at the last minute as “resisting a police officer” and sentenced Mzia to two years in prison.

In a statement published on Facebook on 12 January, the European Union delegation to Georgia reaffirmed its commitment to the joint position of 24 diplomatic missions, which had earlier described Mzia Amaglobeli’s case as a symbol of intimidation, impunity for violence, and the legal persecution of journalists in Georgia.

The European Union mission said it continues to regard the sentence handed down to Mzia Amaglobeli as disproportionate and politically motivated.

US State Department voices concern over crackdown on government critics in Georgia

US State Department responds to sentencing of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli

A statement by 24 diplomatic missions dated 6 August 2025 said the proceedings had seriously undermined Mzia Amaglobeli’s health, particularly her eyesight. The diplomats called for her release and for an end to violence and intimidation against journalists.

The joint statement was signed by the diplomatic missions of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

All the details of the case against Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli

The hearing lasted nine hours. The lawyer called the trial historic and spoke of falsifications in the case. The verdict in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case is expected on August 4

Solovyov’s proposal to wage war on Armenia

Armenian politicians and political analysts have reacted sharply to another provocative statement by Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov, stressing the absurdity and inadmissibility of threats to Armenia’s sovereignty.

The Kremlin-linked propagandist—two of whose author programmes have already been blocked from Armenia’s public multiplex over anti-Armenian content—this time turned to Russian-Armenian relations. He said that losing Armenia would be as much a problem for Russia as losing its sphere of influence in Ukraine. Moreover, Solovyov effectively threatened Armenia with “starting a special military operation” on its territory.

“We must very clearly formulate our goals and objectives. We must explain: the games are over. To hell with international law and the international order. If, for our national security, it was necessary to start a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine, why, based on the same considerations, can we not start a special military operation in other points of our zone of influence?” he said.

In Armenian expert circles, alongside criticism of Solovyov’s remarks, there are calls for the Armenian foreign ministry to hand a note of protest to the Russian ambassador. Official Yerevan has so far remained silent.

• Armenia in 2025: key developments with long-term impact
• Public clash between Putin and Pashinyan: statistics back Armenian PM
• Russian citizens accused of spying in Armenia: what we know about one case

Solovyov: ‘Losing Armenia would be a huge problem’

Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov first touched on events unfolding in Venezuela since the start of the year, before turning to Armenia and Ukraine:

“We must not lose our positions, but what matters most to us is our near abroad. What is happening in Armenia is far more painful for us than what is happening in Venezuela. Losing Armenia — that would be a huge problem. What is happening in our Asia, in Middle Asia, Central Asia as it is called — that could also become a huge problem for us. […]

Perhaps we need to formulate our national doctrine and clearly state what our sphere of influence is. Then everything will be clear.

We need to stop casting pearls before swine and stop caring about what Europe thinks. We need to stop feeling sorry for Ukrainians. The brutality shown in the first week would have led to the conflict no longer existing. And the losses would have been far smaller — on both sides.”

“Silence the enemy’s voice”: Protesters in Armenia demand shutdown of Russian TV channels

A protest took place in Yerevan outside the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, which has the authority to make such a decision. Details and video from the protest

Expert opinion

Political analyst Hovsep Khurshudyan stressed:

“Figures like Solovyov and Simonyan [referring to Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of RT] would not be so brazen or so loose-tongued about Armenia if there were not a large detachment of Kremlin slaves here — a fifth column made up of agents and traitors.

That is why it is important to neutralise all of them as soon as possible — from KGB officers disguised as priests to ‘philanthropic’ pickpockets in the form of Russian and Russia-aligned oligarchs, with whom this fifth column dreams of a Russian ‘bourgeois-democratic revolution’.”

Political scientist Lilit Dallakyan noted:

“I’m surprised that Armenian society is irritated by Solovyov’s words. Given his ‘positive reputation’ worldwide, he is advertising Armenia.

I think that since those who used to pay him for his affection towards Armenia are now having problems, he has found another source of income.

Moreover, when you are humiliated every day in Iran, Venezuela and Syria while talking about traditional values; when you have serious problems in your family; when your tankers are seized by your ‘beloved’ US president and you cannot even squeak; when your president makes excuses to Aliyev and hands over an agent of influence; and when Kupiansk, captured five times, still cannot be captured — you have to vent your anger somewhere.

In short, he is a gift for those who criticise Russian policy. And he constantly puts his Armenian colleagues in an awkward position.”

Armenia suspends broadcast of Russia’s Channel One: here’s why

The official argument cited is the telecommunication company’s failure to meet its financial obligations, but in recent months, the content of the broadcasts has been a frequent topic of discussion in Armenia

Solovyov’s proposal to wage war on Armenia

Armenian politicians and political analysts have reacted sharply to another provocative statement by Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov, stressing the absurdity and inadmissibility of threats to Armenia’s sovereignty.

The Kremlin-linked propagandist—two of whose author programmes have already been blocked from Armenia’s public multiplex over anti-Armenian content—this time turned to Russian-Armenian relations. He said that losing Armenia would be as much a problem for Russia as losing its sphere of influence in Ukraine. Moreover, Solovyov effectively threatened Armenia with “starting a special military operation” on its territory.

“We must very clearly formulate our goals and objectives. We must explain: the games are over. To hell with international law and the international order. If, for our national security, it was necessary to start a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine, why, based on the same considerations, can we not start a special military operation in other points of our zone of influence?” he said.

In Armenian expert circles, alongside criticism of Solovyov’s remarks, there are calls for the Armenian foreign ministry to hand a note of protest to the Russian ambassador. Official Yerevan has so far remained silent.

• Armenia in 2025: key developments with long-term impact
• Public clash between Putin and Pashinyan: statistics back Armenian PM
• Russian citizens accused of spying in Armenia: what we know about one case

Solovyov: ‘Losing Armenia would be a huge problem’

Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov first touched on events unfolding in Venezuela since the start of the year, before turning to Armenia and Ukraine:

“We must not lose our positions, but what matters most to us is our near abroad. What is happening in Armenia is far more painful for us than what is happening in Venezuela. Losing Armenia — that would be a huge problem. What is happening in our Asia, in Middle Asia, Central Asia as it is called — that could also become a huge problem for us. […]

Perhaps we need to formulate our national doctrine and clearly state what our sphere of influence is. Then everything will be clear.

We need to stop casting pearls before swine and stop caring about what Europe thinks. We need to stop feeling sorry for Ukrainians. The brutality shown in the first week would have led to the conflict no longer existing. And the losses would have been far smaller — on both sides.”

“Silence the enemy’s voice”: Protesters in Armenia demand shutdown of Russian TV channels

A protest took place in Yerevan outside the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, which has the authority to make such a decision. Details and video from the protest

Expert opinion

Political analyst Hovsep Khurshudyan stressed:

“Figures like Solovyov and Simonyan [referring to Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of RT] would not be so brazen or so loose-tongued about Armenia if there were not a large detachment of Kremlin slaves here — a fifth column made up of agents and traitors.

That is why it is important to neutralise all of them as soon as possible — from KGB officers disguised as priests to ‘philanthropic’ pickpockets in the form of Russian and Russia-aligned oligarchs, with whom this fifth column dreams of a Russian ‘bourgeois-democratic revolution’.”

Political scientist Lilit Dallakyan noted:

“I’m surprised that Armenian society is irritated by Solovyov’s words. Given his ‘positive reputation’ worldwide, he is advertising Armenia.

I think that since those who used to pay him for his affection towards Armenia are now having problems, he has found another source of income.

Moreover, when you are humiliated every day in Iran, Venezuela and Syria while talking about traditional values; when you have serious problems in your family; when your tankers are seized by your ‘beloved’ US president and you cannot even squeak; when your president makes excuses to Aliyev and hands over an agent of influence; and when Kupiansk, captured five times, still cannot be captured — you have to vent your anger somewhere.

In short, he is a gift for those who criticise Russian policy. And he constantly puts his Armenian colleagues in an awkward position.”

Armenia suspends broadcast of Russia’s Channel One: here’s why

The official argument cited is the telecommunication company’s failure to meet its financial obligations, but in recent months, the content of the broadcasts has been a frequent topic of discussion in Armenia