Irakli Kobakhidze: A powder analysis will be done; one thing is the documentation, another is the analysis. Under that code there are dozens of substances, many of which are not prohibited - the powder was purchased and was likely intended to be used at the rallies
According to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, the powder that was used during the 2024 protests “will be analyzed.”
Kobakhidze said at a press conference today that “an analysis of the powder will be carried out as part of the investigation.
The results of the SSS investigation will be presented to the public in detail. One thing is the documentation, another is the actual analysis of the powder. A full analysis will be performed and we will inform the public. The powder analysis must be done. A detailed analysis of everything must be carried out,” Kobakhidze said.
Asked whether other substances falling under the code UN3439 were purchased and used, the prime minister said: “Under that code are both prohibited and non-prohibited substances. The procurement concerned non-prohibited substances. The investigation will present the rest of the full information.”
When asked for clarification whether substances under that code were used during the 2024 protests, the prime minister said: “They were likely to be. This powder was purchased. A code tells you nothing - under the code there are dozens of substances, the vast majority of which are not prohibited.”
He also said that “at no point did Vakhtang Gomelauri confirm that the substance ‘Camite’ was used, and Gomelauri was generally talking about the fact that these substances - the powder - were purchased in 2009 with all their components.”
“Vakhtang Gomelauri said the following: the substances spoken about by certain people were purchased in 2009; in no case did Gomelauri confirm that the substance ‘Camite’ was used. Later, the acting Minister of Internal Affairs told the public that the substance ‘Camite’ had not been used. There is no contradiction between those two statements. Generally speaking, Vakhtang Gomelauri was saying that these substances - the powder - were purchased in 2009 with all their components. As for Gela Geladze, he stated that this powder did not contain ‘Camite,’ and therefore the BBC has been caught in a very grave lie,” Kobakhidze said.
