**Journalist‘s Detention Upheld**
A judge in Georgia has refused to release journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli from pre-trial detention. Judge Levan Kolbaia of Batumi City Court said the lawyers’ petition was not valid.
The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) is representing Amaghlobeli in court. They say the decision is unfair and that there’s no reason for her to be imprisoned. GYLA will now appeal the decision to a higher court.
**Journalist Still in Custody**
Amaghlobeli has been in custody since January 21. She was charged with assaulting a police officer, which can carry a prison sentence of four to seven years. Her lawyers say she’s being unfairly prosecuted and that it’s a form of political repression.
Amaghlobeli began a hunger strike on February 8. She’s now on her 34th day without food. Her health is reportedly getting worse every day.
**GYLA to Appeal**
The GYLA has previously argued that Amaghlobeli’s prosecution was unlawful. They’ll now appeal the judge’s decision to the Court of Appeals. The organization will try to get Amaghlobeli released from pre-trial detention and cleared of all charges.
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