Former Interior Ministry officials questioned over alleged use of WWI-era chemical during protests

Former Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri and ex-Head of the Special Tasks Department Zviad Kharazishvili have been questioned by the State Security Service in connection with an investigation prompted by a BBC report.

According to authorities, both Gomelauri and Kharazishvili have already responded to investigators’ questions. Additional individuals were expected to be summoned as the inquiry progresses.

The BBC report cites evidence suggesting that, last year, Georgian authorities used a chemical substance dating back to World War I to disperse anti-government demonstrations. Protesters at pro-European rallies reportedly experienced symptoms - including coughing, nausea, and vomiting - after being targeted with water cannon sprays, with effects lasting several weeks.

BBC said it consulted chemical weapons experts, Georgian police informants, and medical professionals. The investigation indicates the substance used may have been bromobenzyl cyanide, historically referred to by the French military as Camite, which was originally developed for use in World War I.