The clinic director urged the journalist to end her hunger strike.
Chhaidze urged the family members and colleagues of the journalist to persuade her to end her hunger strike. The doctor warned that, although recent tests indicate the patient's health "is consistent with a prolonged hunger strike" and the clinic staff "is doing everything possible," if Mzia does not start eating, "a fatal outcome cannot be ruled out."
The statement from the director of the clinic, where prisoners often receive treatment, sparked outrage among the journalist's colleagues and loved ones. They believe that the director is obligated to address such a warning to the authorities and demand the release of Amaglobeli.
The journalist was arrested on the night of January 12 in Batumi during the dispersal of a protest when she slapped the local police chief Irakli Dgaebuadze. According to Amaglobeli and other participants of the peaceful protest, he was using foul language and insulting opposition members.
Later, Irakli Dghebuadze testified during the interrogation that he felt acute pain and his cheek turned red as a result of the slap. Four other police officers corroborated this testimony.
The Batumi court chose imprisonment as a preventive measure for the journalist, refusing to release her on bail, stating that Amaglobeli "might influence witnesses," namely the police officers who had already given detailed testimony against her.
Mzia was transferred to a women's colony in Rustavi, where she announced a hunger strike. On February 4, she was moved to the "Vivamedi" clinic for medical observation. The Georgian journalistic community considers Amaglobeli a prisoner of conscience and demands her immediate release.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze indicated in comments regarding the situation that Amaglobeli could be released on bail after she apologizes to officer Dgaebuadze.
