Georgia refutes claims of using WWI–era chemical agent in protests

(MENAFN) Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili on Sunday dismissed a BBC report alleging that authorities used a World War I–era chemical agent called Camite against protesters last year, calling it deliberate disinformation intended to damage the country, according to reports.

In an interview with a news agency, Kavelashvili argued that the backlash was motivated by Georgia’s refusal to follow orders from what he described as the “Deep State.” He said, “They are deliberately creating a background that will only serve to worsen their attitude towards our country… This is an order; we refused, and these are the Deep State’s retaliatory steps, executed through various means they control.”

The president also compared the BBC story to earlier disinformation surrounding alleged torture of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, calling both instances part of “deliberate disinformation.”

The BBC article suggested that Georgian authorities deployed Camite to suppress demonstrations in November last year. However, an investigation by Georgian authorities found that the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) never used or imported Camite, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Saturday. He added, “Moreover, the investigation determined that the MIA used neither Camite nor any other banned substances when dispersing violent protesters last year.”

Citing the prime minister, the Georgian National Broadcaster reported that the BBC article has been used by politically motivated groups to “wage a new hybrid war” against Georgia.

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