“One of the reasons they are not saying what substance was mixed into the water is that it does not matter what they name - when this is repeated continuously for several nights and across two seasons of the year, even if it were carrot juice, it would still be harmful,” - this is stated in a letter released from prison by Zurab Japaridze, leader of the coalition “For Change,” in response to the BBC investigative report.

According to Japaridze, the harm caused by the mixture used during the dispersal of the protests stems from the combination itself.

“That substance, combined with the solvent they already confirmed (which by itself is a poison), combined with the so-called pepper spray, combined with the suffocating gas in which they were choking us; when they drench you from head to toe; when it gets into your eyes, nose, ears, mouth (not to mention the skin); when this goes on for several hours; when this is repeated continuously for several nights and across two seasons (spring–autumn) - even if it had been carrot juice, it would still be harmful.

It is impossible for any substance under that classification (UN349, I think) to be permitted for use in such a form and at such intensity.

Another reason they are so frightened is that using a chemical substance against one’s own population morally justifies many forms of resistance against such a regime - forms that some people under other circumstances might hesitate to support (whether they are tactically wise is another matter).

For example, can a person tear down the fence of the presidential residence, or set fire to an empty court building at night, if their election was stolen or their European future taken away, and if they, their friends, and family were poisoned with chemical agents? That is the point.

Another moment - so that they don’t mislead us with words.

‘Not prohibited’ does NOT mean that you are allowed to spray tens of thousands of people with it through water cannons. Probably nowhere is it written that dispersing a demonstration with a jet of gasoline is prohibited, simply because no one has ever imagined doing such a thing. Gasoline is just as much a solvent as the solvent shown in the BBC film - the one the regime has already admitted to using. Also, many products freely sold in stores may even be useful when applied properly, but the packaging says: ‘Do not ingest,’ ‘Do not get in eyes,’ ‘Keep out of reach of children.’ So, the phrase ‘not prohibited’ alone means nothing.

P.S. When you say that the 2008 war was started by the previous government, in that case the guilty party is the previous government, and this has nothing to do with the country’s legal liability or image.

But when you say that in 2024 the “Georgian Dream” supposedly used chemical weapons against Georgian citizens, it is not “Georgian Dream” that is damaged - rather, it results in accusing the country of a horrible act and damaging its image. That is betrayal of the homeland. Rashist logic,” the statement reads.

For reference: The BBC prepared and published an investigative material claiming that during the dispersal of protests in November–December 2024, a substance called “Camite” was used - the same substance last used during World War I. Following the publication of this report, the State Security Service launched an investigation under two articles: abuse of official power and assisting a foreign organization in hostile activities.