Expert Chikhelidze calls for strict punishment of provocation organisers following Security Service briefing

Expert Davit Chikhelidze on Saturday urged relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate and strictly punish those behind recent “provocations”, highlighting that Georgia faces threats not only from external enemies but also from internal actors.

In a social media post, Chikhelidze reacted to a briefing held by the State Security Service earlier today, saying it confirmed a simple truth: some individuals are ready to falsely portray substances legally permitted under international law as “banned post-World War I chemical agents” and even stage dramatic acts to convince both local and international audiences.

Chikhelidze highlighted that attempts by opposition groups to create a “storm in a teacup” had failed.

“It can now be confirmed that the Ministry of Internal Affairs used only methods internationally approved and applied in similar situations by other countries. The substance used is a tested, safety-based method with no connection to Camite or other banned chemicals,” he wrote.

He added that the investigation should act as a deterrent, discouraging participation in future manipulative provocations, and warned that global actors behind such schemes might continue attempts to destabilize the situation.