Lawyer for journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, jailed for attacking police officer, denies MEP Juknevičienė's claims of abuse in Rustavi prison

Mzia Mtsariashvili, the lawyer for detained journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, on Thursday stated to media holding Kvira that Amaglobeli has not reported any instances of improper treatment within the Rustavi Women's Penitentiary Establishment to her.

This statement comes amid claims made by MEP Rasa Juknevičienė regarding Amaglobeli's beating in prison.

The media holding Kvira sought to verify the truthfulness of Juknevičienė's statement in the European Parliament about Amaglobeli being beaten in prison.

Mtsariashvili clarified that Amaglobeli did have injuries upon her initial arrival at the facility. However, she emphasised that no proper investigation or response followed concerning these injuries.

“Mzia did not make any statement to me regarding any kind of improper treatment at the Rustavi Women's Penitentiary Establishment. She had injuries upon intake. We don't know from whom; the investigation did not investigate the issue. They didn't even pay attention to this issue”, the lawyer said.

Mtsariashvili also highlighted the deteriorating health of her client since her incarceration.

“After Mzia was placed in the penitentiary, already in February, when she was in Vivamedi [clinic], she experienced a dramatic decrease in vision. The disease she has in her eye (keratoconus) requires constant monitoring; if left untreated, it leads to blindness. Despite this, monitoring and examination have not occurred. Mzia indicates that her vision is worsening even further. We are requesting monitoring of her vision”, she concluded.