Zourabichvili addressed hundreds of people gathered at the Shota Rustaveli State University. Students came together for a rally demanding the release of Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of the independent publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti.
"Today, I want to dedicate this day to Mzia Amaglobeli. Today, she is the face of our country; she is Georgia. Therefore, we stand together today. I am confident that she will remain strong and healthy because she embodies Georgia," Zourabichvili stated.
Mzia Amaglobeli has become a symbol of protests calling for new elections and the release of political prisoners. The journalist was detained in Batumi on January 11 during a rally where she demanded the release of her acquaintances. She faces up to seven years in prison for allegedly slapping the head of the Batumi police, who, according to her, insulted her.
For several days now, Amaglobeli has been refusing to eat. In her last statement from prison, she wrote that she would consider herself an "accomplice to injustice" if she were to end her hunger strike. Solidarity actions in support of Amaglobeli are regularly held in Georgia.
An anti-government protest also took place outside the Parliament building in Tbilisi.