**Female Politicians Call for Release of Jailed Journalist**
A group of female opposition politicians in Georgia have written a joint letter to the international community, calling for the immediate release of jailed journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli. The letter also urges the Georgian government to end its repression against free press and independent media.
The signatories believe that Amaghlobeli has been targeted for her work since last year’s passage of the Foreign Agents Law, which cracks down on civil society and independent media. She was arrested twice in January, first for displaying a sticker calling for a nationwide strike and then for slapping the Batumi police chief in the face.
The letter describes Amaghlobeli as a “somber reminder” that dissenting voices in Georgia are becoming dimmer as the crisis deepens. It also notes that Amaghlobeli has gone on hunger strike in prison.
**Demand for Action**
The women politicians appeal to the international community to use any platform, including social media, to call for Amaghlobeli’s release and to urge the Georgian government to redirect frozen funds earmarked for the government to civil society and the media. They also ask diplomatic missions in Georgia to attend Amaghlobeli’s trials.
**A Grave Situation**
The letter describes the situation in Georgia as “grave” and stresses that Amaghlobeli’s arrest is a warning sign that dissenting voices are being silenced. The signatories believe that unless friends of democracy come together, Georgia will head straight for full authoritarianism.
The letter has been sent to organizations advocating for media freedom and journalists’ rights, as well as to the EU and Georgia’s other partners.