Rehan Dimitri

Mzia Moghlebeli, whose large photo is printed on a banner at the rally, is the founder of the leading independent online media here, Batu Melebi. She is currently in pre-trial detention, accused of assaulting a police officer. In protest, she has gone on hunger strike. I've come to the offices of Batu Melebi where I'm meeting one of his journalists, Irma Dimitradze.

Mzia Moghlebeli, whose large photo is printed on a banner at the rally, is the founder of the leading independent online media here, Batu Melebi. She is currently in pre-trial detention, accused of assaulting a police officer. In protest, she has gone on hunger strike. I've come to the offices of Batu Melebi where I'm meeting one of his journalists, Irma Dimitradze.

Irma tells me how the newspaper was founded in 2001 by Mzia Amaglabeli and her friend Eter Turadze, both in their 20s at the time. Later, they launched a nationwide online platform called NetGazeti. Today, these two publications are among the most trusted and reliable news sources in Georgia's highly polarized mediascape. Irma explains what happened on the day of Mzia's arrest.

Irma tells me how the newspaper was founded in 2001 by Mzia Amaglabeli and her friend Eter Turadze, both in their 20s at the time. Later, they launched a nationwide online platform called NetGazeti. Today, these two publications are among the most trusted and reliable news sources in Georgia's highly polarized mediascape. Irma explains what happened on the day of Mzia's arrest.

On January the 11th, several people were detained in Batumi for putting up posters calling for a general strike. Among the detained was a friend of Mzia's, so she went to the police station to find her. In footage from that time, Mzia is seen sticking a poster to a police building and immediately police detain her.

On January the 11th, several people were detained in Batumi for putting up posters calling for a general strike. Among the detained was a friend of Mzia's, so she went to the police station to find her. In footage from that time, Mzia is seen sticking a poster to a police building and immediately police detain her.

Later, after being released, something happens between her and the chief of the Batumi police. She grabs him by his sleeve and appears to lightly touch his face. This time she is detained and charged with assaulting a police officer. It's punishable by up to seven years in prison. Her lawyers allege while in detention, the police chief spat in her face, denied her access to water and a toilet.

Later, after being released, something happens between her and the chief of the Batumi police. She grabs him by his sleeve and appears to lightly touch his face. This time she is detained and charged with assaulting a police officer. It's punishable by up to seven years in prison. Her lawyers allege while in detention, the police chief spat in her face, denied her access to water and a toilet.

Several days later, the Batumi City Court remands Amoghlebele in pretrial custody. The case has become national news. The country's prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, personally got involved describing Amoghlebele's action as a crime against the state.

Several days later, the Batumi City Court remands Amoghlebele in pretrial custody. The case has become national news. The country's prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, personally got involved describing Amoghlebele's action as a crime against the state.

In Batu Melebi's office, Irma reads out the letter which Mzia sent from prison, announcing her hunger strike.

In Batu Melebi's office, Irma reads out the letter which Mzia sent from prison, announcing her hunger strike.

Protesters in Batumi sing Georgia's national anthem, which glorifies freedom. Mziya Mokhlebeli's hunger strike is a reminder to many here how fragile their democracy has become.

Protesters in Batumi sing Georgia's national anthem, which glorifies freedom. Mziya Mokhlebeli's hunger strike is a reminder to many here how fragile their democracy has become.

It's freezing cold, but despite this weather, there are lots of people. Like every night, we've seen night after night people turning up in their thousands. The pro-EU Georgians who are protesting, they feel that it's the only thing they can do. They do feel powerless. I've been talking to some of the protesters. They're asking for help from outside Georgia.

It's freezing cold, but despite this weather, there are lots of people. Like every night, we've seen night after night people turning up in their thousands. The pro-EU Georgians who are protesting, they feel that it's the only thing they can do. They do feel powerless. I've been talking to some of the protesters. They're asking for help from outside Georgia.

They're asking for the EU or the United States to impose sanctions on their government to show some kind of support. But at the same time, they're determined to continue protesting. They believe that what's happening right now in Georgia goes against their wishes, against the will of the Georgian people, as they say.

They're asking for the EU or the United States to impose sanctions on their government to show some kind of support. But at the same time, they're determined to continue protesting. They believe that what's happening right now in Georgia goes against their wishes, against the will of the Georgian people, as they say.

Earlier today in Parliament, Mikhail Kavalashvili, he was elected by an electoral college, which consists mainly of the loyalists of the Georgian dream, the ruling party. I was inside the parliament. I spent several hours there. And to be honest, my feeling was that there are now two Georgias and two different realities.

Earlier today in Parliament, Mikhail Kavalashvili, he was elected by an electoral college, which consists mainly of the loyalists of the Georgian dream, the ruling party. I was inside the parliament. I spent several hours there. And to be honest, my feeling was that there are now two Georgias and two different realities.