This was an attempt to stir up a new wave against the legitimate government, the Georgian state, and society, misleading both young and old into believing that chemical weapons were used [to disperse protests]. Apparently, we misjudged the ‘Nats,’ — this is how the “Georgian Dream” MP, Irakli Zarkua, commented on the BBC investigative report, which claims that “chemical weapons dating back to World War I were allegedly used against protesters in Georgia.”

He stated that “no one will escape attempts to blacken our country and actions taken against the state.”

“This was an attempt to stir a new wave against the legitimate government, the Georgian state, and society, misleading both young and old as if chemical weapons were used [to disperse protests]. Apparently, we misjudged the ‘Nats.’ Now they are trying to push this topic using local agents. As false witnesses now step back and say they never made such statements or wrote them down, an investigation has begun — no one will escape attempts to blacken our country and steps taken against the state. The investigation has started and will continue to its conclusion. Those who act against our country, our state, our people, and our national interests will not go unpunished,” Zarkua said.

Speaking further on the topic, Zarkua noted that investigative bodies will do what is necessary for the investigation.

“What is important for the investigative part, they will do. As for the conclusion that everyone denies and says, ‘this wasn’t my statement,’ do you not have a question about what this story is based on? What is it based on? Is there a conclusion?” Zarkua said.

According to Zarkua, if any water jets were used during protests, they complied with the standards currently applied in non-EU countries.

“If any water jets were used, they met the standards that are still applied today — you can see it in EU and non-EU countries, water jets are used everywhere. It did not go beyond that, and if anyone has a different intention, they must prove it,” he said.

For reference, the BBC reported that collected evidence indicates that the Georgian authorities last year used chemical weapons dating back to World War I to suppress anti-government protests. According to BBC, “demonstrators opposing the Georgian government’s EU accession process reported symptoms including burning eyes, sneezing, coughing, and vomiting, lasting for weeks.”

BBC also consulted chemical weapons experts, Georgian special forces representatives, and doctors, finding “evidence pointing to the use of an agent known to French military as ‘Camite.’”

Following the publication of this information in the public space, Georgia’s State Security Service launched an investigation.

Specifically, the investigation began under Article 333 of the Criminal Code, concerning abuse of official powers, and Article 319, regarding assistance in hostile activities to a foreign organization.