“Before telling people that someone was allegedly poisoned with a specific substance, greater responsibility is needed - the substance you are claiming was used does not dissolve in water at all. This is elementary chemistry!” said Minister of Health Mikheil Sarjveladze in response to questions regarding the BBC’s investigative report.

According to Sarjveladze, “there are cheap attempts to mislead people into thinking that something illegal happened in Tbilisi during the protests.”

He added that even basic logic is enough to see that the uproar is unfounded and baseless.

“This is an attempt to create an illusion, which is obvious and very cheap.

This was clearly shown in the assessments made by highly qualified doctors, but even to the naked eye, when the BBC published this, it made far-reaching interpretations, and politicians relied on it. Allegedly, the BBC based it on statements that, in reality, the people never made what was later attributed to them. Therefore, everyone should refrain from drawing such incorrect, misleading, and unfounded conclusions. Moreover, people should exercise caution when making any accusations and telling others that someone was poisoned - caution is necessary here.

Yes, based on highly qualified doctors’ assessments and even elementary logic, it is clear that the uproar is incorrect and baseless, and there was no chemical poisoning involved,” said Mikheil Sarjveladze.