Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the wave of intimidation of experts, witnesses, journalists, and human rights defenders in Georgia, following findings published by BBC Eye’s investigation indicating that Georgian authorities may have used harmful and potentially prohibited toxic chemicals against overwhelmingly peaceful mass demonstrations of November–December 2024. Amnesty International has released a statement on the above.

According to the organsiation, the authorities must ensure an effective investigation into the alleged use of banned chemical compounds.

“Instead of taking steps to establish the relevant facts and verify the evidence presented, Georgian authorities have begun targeting experts, witnesses, human rights defenders and journalists whose testimonies were presented in the documentary, on suspicion of “abuse of official powers” and “assisting a foreign organization in hostile activity”, reads the statement.

“The Georgian authorities are responding to these serious allegations with a Kafkaesque combination of measures: on the one hand, a wave of fear-mongering and reprisals against witnesses and journalists who came forward; on the other, outright denial and dismissal of evidence as ‘absurd’ – all while keeping the appearance that the investigation into injuries sustained by protesters is underway,” said Denis Krivosheev Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The appalling response by Georgian authorities to allegations that prohibited toxic chemicals were used against protestors to suppress peaceful demonstrations must be met with an international investigation and a complete embargo on all policing equipment, Amnesty International said.