First University Clinic director slams BBC report on alleged use of chemical agents during Tbilisi protests as ‘non-scientific’

Tbilisi State Medical University’s First University Clinic general director Levan Ratiani has criticized the BBC film alleging that Georgian authorities had  used a World War I-era chemical agent during the 2024 antigovernmental protests.

Ratiani on Friday said he had never encountered a scientific publication that opened with political commentary.

“In all my years in medicine, this is the first time I’ve seen a so-called scientific article begin with a political overview. This is nonsense in medical science,” he said.

According to him, the piece violates fundamental principles of medical practice.

“Medical work is guided by two principles - morality and regulation. This review violates both. Call it whatever you want, but I cannot call it scientific work or even a medical description,” Ratian said.

He added that, given the sensitivity of the issue, “every doctor should speak out” when such claims circulate about their own country.