Eighty-four postcards sent from Armagh in support of imprisoned Georgian journalist

Credit: Simon Robinson

The postcards were written during Irish PEN’s annual Freedom to Write event at The Marketplace Theatre, where an empty chair was left on stage to represent Ms Amaglobeli, who has been imprisoned in Georgia since January 2025.

Audience members were invited to write personal messages which will now be sent to Ms Amaglobeli in prison, demonstrating that her case is being watched far beyond Georgia’s borders.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, international counsel for Ms Amaglobeli, said: “My brave client, Mzia Amaglobeli, has been unjustly imprisoned since January 2025. She has the dubious honour of being the first female journalist imprisoned in Georgia for politically motivated reasons since the country’s independence in 1991.

“It was extremely moving to see so many people thousands of miles away, in Armagh, take action to support her. It is long past time to Free Mzia.”

The audience heard Ms Gallagher highlight the growing threat to journalists around the world.

Lia Mills of Irish PEN/ PEN na hÉireann, said: “People everywhere are profoundly moved and inspired by the story of Mzia’s steadfast courage and resistance to state bullying.”