Georgian Parliament Speaker questions Ukraine’s ‘friendship’ over hexogen case

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday criticised the Ukrainian Government over the hexogen case, questioning whether transporting 2.5 kg of explosive material into Tbilisi was consistent with friendship and partnership.

In his remarks, Papuashvili said the explosive was brought to a specific address in Tbilisi’s Avlabari district and could have destroyed an entire neighbourhood if detonated.

“What does 2.4 kilograms of hexogen mean? Google it and you’ll find out. It’s an explosive substance. They won’t let you bring deodorant or a lighter onto a plane because it’s dangerous – it could blow up the entire plane. Now, 2.5 kg of hexogen at a specific address in Avlabari - couldn’t something happen by accident? Couldn’t it explode by accident, due to some impact, or if the trailer overturned and exploded, or if it exploded in that house - wouldn’t it take all of Avlabari into the sky?” Papuashvili said.

He accused the Ukrainian special services of endangering Georgian lives in pursuit of their objectives against Russia.

“That’s what Ukraine’s special services were doing to us. Ukraine’s special services, where Georgian Gia Lortkipanidze works, were planning this and were okay with the idea that it could explode, but to hell with it - let Avlabari and Tbilisi be blown into the air, as long as they achieve their goals in Russia. Let’s say we believe that version – that they wanted to harm Russia – but if it had exploded here, to hell with Georgian women and children?” he continued.

The Speaker further highlighted the danger posed by hexogen, comparing it to banned airplane items such as lighters or deodorant. He warned that an accidental detonation could have levelled the entire district.

“Why drag us into it? They’re at war - let them fight. Let them stop dragging Georgia into their war. This is not Georgia’s war. When we had our war, including with Russia, we didn’t drag anyone into our war, and we didn’t put any country at risk. And yet, there are people here who will come out tonight on Rustaveli Avenue, stand in front of the Parliament, and be busy glorifying Ukraine’s Government”, Papuashvili said.

According to Papuashvili, the Georgian Government had refrained from making stronger statements because Ukraine was at war, but he said that after the war Georgia would demand answers from Kyiv. He also noted that the cargo travelled through several EU countries before reaching Georgia, raising questions about European security oversight.

New information has surfaced regarding the case of transporting the explosive substance hexogen from Ukraine into Georgia.

At a special briefing held by the State Security Service of Georgia, officials stated that the explosives were handed over to the driver of a truck on Ukrainian territory by Ukraine’s security services.

The investigation is examining whether there are links between this case, the upcoming October 4 elections in Georgia, and plans announced by radical groups.