BBC refuses to remove investigation into 'camita'

The British corporation BBC refused to comply with the demand of the Georgian authorities and remove the investigation into the possible use of chemical weapons against demonstrators during the dispersal of protests in November-December 2024.

As "Caucasian Knot" wrote, the State Security Service of Georgia launched an investigation in connection with the BBC's information that during the dispersal of anti-government rallies in Tbilisi in 2024, the country's authorities used chemical substances against protesters. But as a result, it stated that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia never purchased "kamit",  a substance called "chlorobenzylidine malononitrile" was purchased and used at the protests. The Service stopped the investigation into the abuse of power by security forces, but continued the investigation into hostile actions against the country in connection with the BBC report. Georgian authorities demand the BBC remove an investigation into the possible use of chemical weapons against protesters and issue a public apology.

The BBC refused to comply with the Georgian authorities' demand to remove an investigation into the possible use of chemical weapons against demonstrators, according to a statement from the British corporation to the Georgian television channel Formula.

"In accordance with the established complaints process, we confirm that the complainant has already been provided with answers to his questions. We support the journalism presented in the BBC Eye documentary 'When Water Scorches: The Fight for Georgia,' as well as our independent investigative reporting on the Georgian authorities' response to the protests in Tbilisi," a representative of the television company "Novosti Gruzia" (Georgia News) said.

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. They have been holding daily protests on Rustaveli Avenue. In October 2025, following the tightening of laws on assemblies and demonstrations, security forces began to massively detain protesters on Rustaveli Avenue.