The ceremony gathered representatives of the Polish authorities, foreign guests, and members of Polish, Georgian, and Belarusian civil societies. The gala was inaugurated by the Chair of the Committee, Poland’s former president Lech Wałęsa. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski delivered a laudatory speech about the awardee.

The prize was awarded to Mzia Amaglobeli, a journalist, the founder and chief editor of the Netgazeti news website, established in 2010, and of the Batumelebi newspaper and news portal, established in 2001. Both rank among the oldest independent media outlets in Georgia. Her news services are a symbol of independent journalism: they protect human rights, oppose corruption and the abuse of power.

In August 2025, a court in Batumi sentenced Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison. When incarcerated, she was subjected to psychological abuse by police officers and denied legal assistance. This is a symbolic sentence against all independent journalists in Georgia.

Irma Dimitradze, Mzia Amaglobeli’s friend who accepted the prize in her name, said:

Many years ago, Mr Wałęsa and the people of Poland had to struggle for democracy against the regime backed by the Soviet Union. Many years later, Mzia and the people of Georgia are once again having to struggle for democracy. [...] The monster is now called the Russian Federation. [...] The propaganda of Russian cognitive operations has caused harm in many, including invisible ways. Yet, there are people like us—Georgians and Poles—who have experienced and can recognise it at first glance. [...] Poland understands us without words. This understanding is important and we are endlessly grateful for it.

In his speech, Poland’s top diplomat Radosław Sikorski stressed that Mzia Amaglobeli’s story reminds us that the defence of human freedom and dignity is not the sole responsibility of states or international organisations—it is the responsibility of each and every one of us.

An authoritarian regime does not begin with people being sent to prison, it begins when fear triggers apathy

- Sikorski said.

Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski also reiterated that the freedom of speech needs protection especially when speech becomes inconvenient. Today, amid rising authoritarian trends, it is particularly important to express solidarity with those who are brave enough to defend democracy.

Our mission to disrupt the established order was accomplished thanks to Solidarity. Today, we are awarding this prize to ensure that the next generation confirms our victory. Only then will we truly win. As I am presenting the prize today, I hope for more. I hope that the next generation will take this path and come up with solutions to modern challenges.

- said Poland’s former president Lech Wałęsa.

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The Lech Wałęsa Solidarity Prize was established in 2014 to mark 25 years of Poland’s independence. In 2024, Minister Radosław Sikorski decided to relaunch the initiative. The prize is awarded for outstanding achievements in promoting and defending democracy and civil liberties.

Previous awardees include Mustafa Dzhemilev, a long-standing chair of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People who fought for the Tatars’ rights in occupied Crimea; Zhanna Nemtsova, daughter of Boris Nemtsov who has continued her father’s work; Pavel Latushka, one of the leaders of the Belarusian democratic opposition; and a Cuban dissident Berta Soler Fernández.

The prize, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Foundation “Lech Wałęsa Institute”, reflects Poland’s commitment to the protection of democratic values.