Interior Minister denies use of Camite on protesters, calls BBC allegations absurd

Georgia’s Interior Minister, Geka Geladze, on Tuesday rejected claims that the Ministry of Internal Affairs had used a chemical agent known as Camite against pro-European protesters late last year, claiming no harmful substances were employed during demonstrations.

“I personally reviewed all documentation and procurement related to this matter, and I can say with full responsibility and certainty that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has never purchased so-called Camite,” he said.

Geladze highlited that all substances used by law enforcement during protests were legally procured from major companies and approved in leading countries. “The allegation that the Ministry used a prohibited substance against protesters is complete absurdity. During the demonstrations, no substance harmful to health was deployed by the Ministry,” he added.

The Interior Minister also noted that the State Security Service has launched an investigation, and all relevant expert analyses and questioning of witnesses will be conducted.

The statement comes amid BBC reporting, which claimed that Georgian authorities used a chemical agent dating back to World War I to disperse anti-government demonstrations. According to the report, protesters experienced coughing, eye irritation, and vomiting for weeks following the demonstrations. BBC said its investigation included interviews with chemical weapons experts, Georgian law enforcement informants, and medical professionals, and concluded that the substance in question was bromo-benzyl cyanide, historically used by Allied forces during the World War I.