By Moreta Bobokhidze. Reading time: 2 min.
In 2024, the Georgian capital of Tbilisi became the stage for some of the longest running anti government protests in Europe. Night after night, demonstrators filled the city’s main street, demanding progress on Georgia’s accession talks with the European Union. When the government announced that negotiations would be delayed, tens of thousands of citizens took to the streets in defiance. The authorities responded with mass deployments of police, tear gas, and water cannons. Yet what unfolded shocked many: protesters began reporting unusual and severe symptoms after being struck by riot control measures. Breathing difficulties, skin irritation, and vomiting were among the complaints, raising suspicions that something more than water and gas had been used.
A year-long investigation by BBC Eye uncovered evidence suggesting that chemicals had been mixed into the water cannons deployed against the crowds. Victims described the substance as far stronger than conventional tear gas, with one man claiming it was “ten times stronger.” Doctors and toxicologists interviewed by the BBC confirmed that the symptoms were consistent with exposure to harmful chemical agents. Medical surveys of hundreds of protesters revealed lasting health effects, including abnormalities in heart function. Whistleblowers and weapons experts added weight to the claims, pointing to the likely use of a World War I-era compound. The findings raised grave concerns about the legality and ethics of such measures in a democratic society.
The Georgian authorities, however, dismissed the BBC’s conclusions as “absurd.” Officials insisted that law enforcement acted “within the bounds of the law and the constitution” in response to what they described as “illegal actions of brutal criminals.” The government’s denial has only deepened the divide between officials and citizens, as protesters continue to demand accountability and transparency. The investigation highlights not only the risks faced by those who stand up for democratic values but also the urgent need for international scrutiny of crowd-control practices that may cross the line into chemical weapon use.