Georgian PM slams BBC report as “shameful lies” regarding protest dispersal
Politics
Irakli Kobakhidze
Photo: Government of Georgia
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday issued a sharp rebuke against the BBC, labeling a recent report by the broadcaster as “complete falsehoods and shameful propaganda”.
Speaking to journalists in response to a lawsuit filed by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), the Prime Minister claimed that the lack of specific mentions of certain chemicals in the legal challenge proves that initial media allegations were unfounded.
“Everyone saw that the information broadcast by the BBC was a complete falsehood, a disgraceful lie. As a result, they were forced to admit this lie, and accordingly, the lawsuit contains no reference whatsoever to Camite. This was a shameful propaganda report prepared by the BBC, an outlet that once enjoyed a high reputation. They are no longer concerned about reputation or anything else and are ready to broadcast any blatant falsehood on the BBC’s air”, he said.
The PM added that the State Security Service of Georgia had released detailed information on the matter.
“Claims that the public does not know what substance was used are false, because the State Security Service held a briefing and provided detailed information to the public. It was clearly stated that no internationally prohibited substance was used during the dispersal of the rally. The use of tear gas is an accepted international practice in many democratic countries. Everything else is lies spread by the BBC and others”, Kobakhidze concluded.
The complaint, filed by the ruling party Georgian Dream, demands that the BBC remove the material from relevant platforms and issue an apology.
The case concerns a BBC-produced documentary that accused the Georgian authorities of using a World War I-era banned chemical weapon, “Camite”, against demonstrators.
Georgia’s State Security Service has stated that the toxic substance “Camite” was not used by the Interior Ministry to disperse protests and that Georgia has never acquired such a substance.
