Giorgi Sharashidze, a deputy from “For Georgia with Gakharia”, addressed Georgian Dream deputies during an extraordinary plenary session of Parliament: “Those of you who apparently do not intend to support the initiative to establish a temporary parliamentary investigative commission will equally share responsibility for any potential crime, the objective investigation of which could allow you to prove your truth to the people - provided, of course, that the truth is on your side and you have committed no illegal acts!”

Sharashidze stressed that BBC’s journalistic investigation provides more than sufficient grounds to demand an objective and impartial inquiry.

“I address all 89 deputies of Georgian Dream who apparently do not intend to support the initiative to establish a temporary parliamentary investigative commission: by refusing, you will equally share responsibility for any possible crime, the objective investigation of which could prove your truth to the people - if, of course, your truth is on your side and you have committed no illegal acts.

Why do we have reasonable grounds to suspect that in November–December 2024, prohibited substances were used and disproportionate force was applied against demonstrators during the dispersal of protests?

Look at the contradictory statements from your own former and current ministers: while Gomelauri said one thing, Gela Geladze another, and Kobakhidze was forced to confirm that some substance was indeed dispersed in the water - which constitutes a partial admission of guilt!

Vahktang Gomelauri, former Minister of Internal Affairs: ‘The substances they speak of were indeed purchased by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and used, but before 2012; if I’m not mistaken, the last purchase was in 2009 or 2010.’

Gela Geladze, current Minister of Internal Affairs: ‘What Mr. Vahktang meant - different substances were purchased in 2009. Your expectations are disappointed; this is not “CAMITE.”’

And finally, Irakli Kobakhidze: ‘The substance was dispersed; the main issue is whether this substance was prohibited.’

Yes, Mr. Kobakhidze’s statement, confirmed even by your own investigation, is already an admission of guilt, because there is no legal act regulating which types of special substances may be dispersed in water, and in what doses and concentrations!

BBC’s journalistic investigation is more than enough reason to demand an objective and impartial inquiry - especially since you admit to using a specific substance and dispersing it in water, which is prohibited under international law.

If this is not the case, present the legal regulation that sets standards for dosing and instructions for the use of chemical substances when mixed with water - something that must strictly follow the law, especially when used against thousands of people, posing a risk to their health and lives.

The time will come when all questions will be answered, and all responsible parties will be punished to the full extent of the law.

Do you intend to close the case with a five-day so-called investigation, ignoring the legitimate concern of the Georgian population - not only those who have no answers about potential long-term health consequences but also those who do not want to live in a country where the government can treat its own people this way?

Did your five-day investigation determine whether the substance dispersed in water had long-term effects on human health? Did it determine whether the substance, though harmless on its own, might become far more harmful when mixed with water?

Why should the public trust your investigation when no one has been held accountable for any of the illegal actions in November–December - when no one has been punished, and no cases have been opened against those who violently assaulted people in the streets of Tbilisi or attacked protesters in police detention vehicles?

Are you implying that the inhumane brutality against journalist Guram Rogava was proportional and legal, or that the attack leading to journalist Maka Chikhladze’s death was humane and adequate?

If you believe these questions are illegitimate, that you are right, and that you have committed no illegal acts, why are you avoiding the creation of an investigative commission?

Could it be because the commission will leave no question unanswered, and everything will become public? The broad context - which the Strasbourg Court deems necessary to establish - may reveal that orders for illegal actions in November 2024, as in the use of rubber bullets on June 20, 2019, were issued by the same people or individual.

I want to end as I began: today, you may refuse our initiative and leave this issue uninvestigated, and as you say - close it. But know that the time will come when you will have neither the majority nor the broad context in this country that still allows you to retain power and cover up crimes!”