Physician Konstantine Chakhunashvili denies sharing information with BBC on alleged use of WWI-era chemical agent during protests

Konstantine Chakhunashvili, a physician and active participant in opposition rallies whose father took part in the 4 October Government overthrow attempt, on Tuesday said that he did not provide any information to the BBC regarding claims that the Georgian Government used a World War I-era chemical agent during the protest rallies, despite being featured as a key respondent in the broadcaster’s investigative film.

Imedi TV attempted to clarify whether Chakhunashvili was the source of this information and whether he supported the BBC’s conclusion.

“I haven't provided any information to anyone. If you want to talk about this, invite me and we will discuss it. If you are interested in our research, the research is public - I can send you the link and you can read it”, he said.

Chakhunashvili on Tuesday commented on a recent BBC article, stating that the research team had no knowledge that any specific chemical agent had been used in the incident referenced by the broadcaster.

In his remarks, Chakhunashvili noted that within the scope of the research, they did not have information about what additives were used in the tear gas during the protests, adding that he was not thoroughly familiar with the literature on the composition and effects of Camite.

The BBC published an investigative article alleging that the water cannon used during the 2024 protests likely contained a toxic chemical agent known as Camite - bromobenzyl cyanide.

One of the pieces of evidence cited by the BBC was the research conducted by Konstantine Chakhunashvili, a physician and active participant in opposition rallies.