Georgian PM calls BBC report “absolute absurdity”, “intelligence-style fabrication”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday dismissed the BBC report claiming the use of chemical substances during last year’s protests as “absolute absurdity” and a lie fabricated in the style of intelligence operations, emphasising that the issue was being properly investigated.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze highlighted that the report followed tactics reminiscent of intelligence operations, pointing to the broader context of repeated attempts to provoke political crises in Georgia over the past four years.

“Everyone knows how the intelligence service schemes operate. How these schemes were implemented in practice in various countries, including Georgia. An example of this was the five attempted revolutions we experienced over the past four years. Therefore, all of this is already on the table. New information simply emerges from time to time”, he said.

“It was precisely in the style of the intelligence services that the report, broadcast by a specific television channel - the BBC - was spread. Everyone knows very well that this is an absolute absurdity. You can even look at the statistics from those days, for example, what the public response was and what it was related to. This is an absolute absurdity, a lie fabricated in the style of intelligence services - fake - and therefore it is, of course, not worth taking seriously. They even tried one day to stir up a scandal about this, but they failed”, Kobakhidze continued.

The Prime Minister clarified that the substance allegedly involved in the protests had been purchased in 2007 and 2009 and was used in prior years, including 2007-2010 and 2019-2020, and therefore there was nothing inherently scandalous about it.

“As for the investigation, that is our responsibility. Among other things, the responsibility of the people who participated in spreading this falsehood should be determined. Everything else is absurd. Everyone understands that a specific substance was purchased in 2009 and used. What exactly this substance is, I do not know. The investigation will probably clarify this. But, once again, there is nothing scandalous here. Two separate purchases were made in 2007 and 2009, and the substance was actively used in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Later, it was also used in 2019-2020. The substance purchased in 2007 and 2009 was used then. There is nothing left that is scandalous”, he noted.

Kobakhidze also emphasised that the investigation would clarify any remaining questions regarding the substance’s usage.

“The investigation will draw specific conclusions, but for you, there is nothing scandalous anymore - especially since the substance was purchased by the leaders of your party”, he concluded.

The BBC published an investigative article claiming that the Georgian authorities deployed a chemical substance dating back to World War I during protests in 2024.

The Georgian Government rejected the allegations and announced legal proceedings against the BBC in international courts.

Additionally, the Georgian State Security Service launched an investigation into information disseminated in the public sphere regarding an alleged crime connected to the claim.